S5E14 – Kat Rae: On Art, Soldiering and Creativity Through Loss

The Unforgiving60

Kat Rae is an artist who works across an incredible variety of media. Her confronting work, Deathmin, was recently recognised as winner of the 2024 Napier Waller Art Prize and represents the fourth time Kat has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. In this podcast, Kat talks about her artistic journey, including her first career within the Australian Army during which time she met her husband Andrew. Tragically, it was Andrew’s death that inspired her prizewinning piece and Kat very bravely talks to this devastating event and how she channelled this grief and frustration into Deathmin.

06:30 Kat’s background and early years – how she got into art….and the Army!

07:15 Some of Kat’s artistic inspiration included the ‘Angry Penguins’ – many of whom had completed military service

07:40 Art and Army – does that mix?!

11:30 Kat’s time at ADFA – the Australian Defence Force Academy

15:00 The Royal Military College Duntroon – not as much fun as ADFA….

16:00 Into the big world of Army – Kat’s military career, including a stint within the prestigious Australian Federation Guard

23:00 The tragic death of Kat’s husband Andrew

29:00 Kat discusses her Napier Waller prizewinning piece, Deathmin

36:30 So what is the Napier Waller art prize? And a little about Kat’s previous entries, including…

40:30 Cloud Slide, Coming Home and Reckoning

48:00 How did it feel to win on her fourth submission?

51:00 With all that she’s experienced – positive and negative – how does Kat now feel when she looks at the Australian Army?

1:02:40 What’s next for Kat – including within the art space?

External Links

Kat’s website – katrae.net

Kat’s Insta - @kat_a_rae

Kat’s 2024 prizewinning Napier Waller submission

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Music …. With thanks to:

The Externals – available on Spotify