Katherine Simmonds is a visual artist and jeweller based in Byron Bay, NSW. She completed her studies in Fine Art at UNSW Art & Design in Sydney in 2002, and later attended the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London. Following years of extensive travel—including formative time spent in India with a Zen meditation master—Katherine eventually settled in the Northern Rivers region, where she founded her handmade jewellery brand Made In Byron Bay, while continuing to deepen her painting practice.
Her work is profoundly influenced by her spiritual journey, the urgency of the climate crisis, and a visceral emotional connection with the natural world. Working primarily in oil and watercolour, her paintings explore the fluidity of existence and the emptiness of form. Her subjects often drift between figuration and abstraction, dissolving the boundary between inner experience and external landscape.
In 2023, Katherine held her first solo exhibition ‘Body of the Void’ at the Lone Goat Gallery in Byron Bay. Then in 2024 she launched Water Dragon Gallery—a small art studio and exhibition space in The Lumber Yard, Bangalow—dedicated to showcasing emerging and local artistic voices.
CV
Born 1981, Gadigal Country (Sydney)
Education
2000 - 2002 UNSW Art & Design (COFA), Bachelor of Fine Art
2003 The Slade School of Fine Art, London, Summer School Life Drawing
2005 UNSW Art & Design (COFA), MFA Painting/Drawing
2006 University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Architectural Design (1st year)
Solo Exhibitions
2023 ‘Body of the Void’ Lone Goat Gallery, Byron Bay
Group Exhibitions
2024 ‘Artist Books in the Front Room’ Station St Co-op Bangalow
2024 ‘Micro’ Gallery 3 Byron Bay
2023 C.A.S.E postcard show, Mullumbimby
2023 ‘The Sea’ Gallery 3, Byron Bay
2023 ‘Birds 3’ Gallery 3, Byron Bay
2023 ‘Take Stock Take Two’, DADAA, Fremantle, WA
2023 ‘Take Stock’ Gallery 3, Byron Bay
2018 The Border Prize, Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah
2004 Mori Gallery, Sydney
2002 COFA graduation show, COFA, Paddington
2001 Berkelouw Bookstore, Leichardt
2001 COFA gallery, Paddington
2000 Art Express Exhibition, COFA gallery, Paddington
