KatherinesBrains

(she/her), or “KaTɐ​​ꓘ”

is a Los Angeles based

first generation

Mexican American

interdisciplinary artist

with a focus on print media. 

Embracing unconventional techniques and found materials, her artistic approach is deeply influenced by old toons, religious imagery, and punk/DIY (do-it-yourself) culture.

She holds a particular fascination for the ugly, confusing, strange, and mystifying aspects of existence and its uncertainty.

Within the exploration of these subjects, she enjoys creating artwork that is humorous and oftentimes interactive, while referencing the absurdity of choice and the anxiety of outcome and decision making that escorts the human experience.

Accessibility is at the heart of her practice, as Katherine believes that Art should be inclusive and sustainable.

“I spent the majority of my childhood moving from place to place, stretching from rural Nebraska to the diverse neighborhoods in the Southwest side of Chicago. I remember watching cartoons on PBS Kids. Without cable, I felt lucky when Boomerang would be on TV at the laundromat. I loved Arthur, Pink Panther, and Dexter’s Laboratory. I was always scorned by my grandpa for not memorizing multiplication tables and doodling all over my homework. Art was not something that was heavily encouraged in my world then; Being a child of a first generation immigrant, there was great focus on working and productivity. Regardless, I made the time to nurture the creator in me. Earning a Merit Scholarship for The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I became the first in my family to attend university and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in May of 2023. My work has been exhibited in local galleries in California and the vibrant Chicago art scene, and has become a part of the permanent artist book collection that resides at the Pratt Institute in New York City. I continue to explore new avenues within my interdisciplinary practice, and currently serve as a teaching artist, hoping to inspire my community to create.” - KaTɐ​​ꓘ 

KatherinesBrains

(ella), o “KaTɐ​​ꓘ”

es una artista interdisciplinaria

Mexicana-Americana

de primera generación

basada en Los Angeles

con especial atención

a los medios impresos.

“Mi enfoque artístico, que abarca técnicas no convencionales y materiales encontrados, está profundamente influenciado por caricaturas antiguas, la imaginería religiosa, y el espíritu del “punk” y la cultura del bricolaje.

Siento una fascinación particular por los aspectos extraños, feos, confusos y desconcertantes sobre la existencia y su incertidumbre.

Es a través de la exploración de estos temas poco convencionales que disfruto la creacion de arte que es divertido e interactivo.

Aprecio el uso de objetos encontrados en mi trabajo, y reutilizo materiales con regularidad. La accesibilidad está en el centro de mi práctica, ya que creo que el arte debe ser inclusivo y sostenible. Siendo artista e maestra, estoy comprometida a hacer que la práctica creativa sea accesible para todos.”

- KaTɐ​​ꓘ

Katherine pasó la mayor parte de su infancia moviéndose de un lugar a otro, desde la zona rural de Nebraska hasta los diversos vecindarios del lado suroeste de Chicago.

Fue la primera de su familia en asistir a la universidad y obtuvo una beca por mérito para la Escuela del Instituto de Arte de Chicago.

Recibió su Licenciatura en Bellas Artes en Mayo de 2023 y su trabajo se ha exhibido en galerías locales en la vibrante escena artística de Chicago, mientras continúa explorando nuevas vías dentro de su práctica interdisciplinaria.

Actualmente, Katherine se desempeña como instructora de arte en Los Angeles, con la esperanza de inspirar a su comunidad a crear.


Katherine Wilkins Gomez  

☉:♌︎  ☽:♍︎  ⇧: ♎︎

Los Angeles, California 

katherines.brains@gmail.com

Group Exhibitions☟

2025 - “Noyes History,” Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL.

2025 - “Pancakes & Booze Art Show",” Los Angeles, Ca.

2024 - Mixtape,” Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, Ca.

2023 - “Ghosts, Fantasy & Intimacy,” Color Club Arts, Chicago, IL.

2023 - “P.U.N.K” Placed Under Nobody’s Knife,” Cafe Mustache, Chicago, IL.

2023 - “Shared Storytelling: New Acquisitions from Franklin Furnace Archive, 2018-2022,” Pratt Institute, New York, NY.

2022 - “Undergraduate Exhibition,” SAIC Galleries, Chicago, IL

2020 - “Artbash.party,” Virtual Gallery, https://www.saic.edu/events/artbash- 

Collections ☟

Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection,  Pratt Institute, New York, NY.

Education☟

BFA - 2023, Print Media, FVNMA (Film, Video, New Media, Animation),

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Harper College, Palatine, IL., 2018 - 2019

Awards ☟

2019 - Merit Scholarship, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

2018 - Class of 2018 Valedictory Speaker, Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove Village, IL.

Teaching Experience ☟

2025 - Art Instructor for Diverse Learners, Los Angeles, CA.

2025 - Substitute Teacher, Los Angeles, CA.

2024 - SPED Aide, Los Angeles, CA.

2024 - Elementary Art Teacher, Rockford, IL.

2023 - Long Term Guest Teacher, Diverse Learners, Brighton Park Elementary, Chicago, IL.

2023 - Guest Teacher, Kokua Education, Chicago, IL.

2021 - 2023. Lead Art Instructor & Site Director, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL.

2022 - Teachers Assistant, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

2019 - Tutor, Kumon Math & Reading, Arlington Heights, IL. 

It has been such a privilege to pursue my passion. I am forever grateful for everyone who encourages my process, my artwork, and supports me in any way. It makes my life so special and I am so happy to share it with you all.

- KaTɐ​​ꓘ

Ha sido un verdadero privilegio dedicarme a mi pasión. Siempre estaré agradecida a todos los que me animan en mi proceso creativo, en mi arte y me apoyan de cualquier manera. Hace que mi vida sea muy especial y me alegra mucho compartirla con ustedes.

- KaT​ɐ​​ꓘ