About

Artist Statement

My work aims to challenge the viewer’s perceptions of everyday objects and situations. I like to question ideas and encourage people to think differently. There can be a slightly unsettling thread throughout my work, it can be sinister but it remains intriguing and at times it can even be uplifting. Most of all I want to highlight that things are not always as they seem.

Katherine Penney is a Northern Irish artist and art psychotherapist specialising in printmaking and photography. A graduate of the University of Ulster, Katherine studied a BA in Fine and Applied Art before completing an MA. Her early work was exhibited at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and internationally including London, Barcelona, Shanghai and Ottawa.

Katherine’s professional journey has been diverse, in London she worked as artist assistant to Nicola Green on notable projects, including exclusive access to Barack Obama’s U.S. presidential campaign. Katherine’s knowledge of design deepened while working at the globally recognised design practice, Heatherwick Studio London. This provided a valuable insight into the impact of art and architecture.

Her belief in the positive impact of the arts led her to Breathe Arts Health Research, where she designed creative interventions for patients and staff at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital. In 2023, she completed an MSc in Art Psychotherapy and participated in the CHOICE Research Project, where photography was used to address social exclusion for individuals with mental health challenges.

Alongside her clinical work, Katherine remains an active artist and most recently undertook a residency on Rathlin Island as part of Future Island Island - funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.