Post Office Margate Gallery and Studio, 22-23 Cecil Square, Margate, CT9 1BA, Kent. UK.
For all enquiries and prices of artworks not included in the Shop:
Artist Statement
I am a self taught, multi-disciplinary artist, working in collage, painting and assemblage art. In my work I examine the possibilities available when using found materials, such as old magazines, postcards and other appropriated images. There is value and beauty in this discarded stuff, and a frugal and relevant way of working in a time of mass production and waste.
My work is subtly subversive, to this end, I mix abstract shapes, redact, edit and censor photographs and text to create new stories about form, the Japanese concept of MA - negative and positive space, women, connection and sapphism. This work uses subtle visual tricks to make the viewer look again. My work has a tinge of nostalgia, with the use of time-worn, found and second-hand acquisitions. I love a happy accident and want this spontaneity and unplanned nature to show in my work. It is important to me to acknowledge these ‘mistakes’. Creating order from the chaos. Subtracting by adding and adding to subtract.
I explore palimpsests, layers and the patina of aged elements; working with authentic materials is integral to my work. These ‘finds’ can include anything from old porno mags and cookery books, to gardening publications and flower postcards. These gathered materials are then examined, altered and combined to form a new image, a new narrative. The phenomenon of collecting is an important part of my practice and research, I reinterpret what I collect, reexamine and reorganise. I often return to biomorphic shapes and ideas in my work, playing with anthropomorphism, specifically that of flowers and animals.
I am looking at what is removed and what remains once an image is doctored, the text is removed or sections are cut — I look to compose something new and unexpected from what is left behind. I play with the original, using what is hidden and exposed to create intrigue. My work is an ongoing exploration of all these materials and tropes.
Biography
I was raised by hippy parents. My dad named me Kavel; more than likely he picked the name up whilst travelling in India. Kavel is actually a Hindi boy’s name meaning lotus flower, which is lovely – I later found out it also means rolling pin in Swedish! We moved and travelled a lot as a family and I'm sure this lifestyle has encouraged my love of adventure. I have lived all over; a couple of years in Sweden and almost a decade in Barcelona. I feel I have (finally?) settled, in the vibrant sea-side town of Margate.
I came out as a lesbian quite late in life, at the age of 42. This has been so liberating for me; it has definitely been a catalyst for stronger and more confident work. I’m happy and comfortable in myself now, as an out queer woman.
I have always loved flea markets. They are very indicative of a place, whether that be Barcelona’s Encants, Los Angeles’ Melrose Trading post or the Flohmarkt in Berlin. From Mexico City to a car boot fair in Herne Bay, what people sell and throw away is very telling.
You used to be able to find me in Northern Soul clubs most weekends, but these days I’m more likely to be seen walking my sausage dog Bobby Dazzler on Margate Beach.
I have had – and continue to have a successful career as an illustrator, working with clients worldwide on a variety of notable projects; book covers, fashion, travel and editorial. This site showcases my newer work as a fine artist — collage, mixed media and abstracts.
Exhibitions And Awards
Awards
March 2023 DYCP Arts Council England Grant
Solo Shows
2023
October - House of Mabel presents ‘At Home with Kavel Rafferty’
Artworks by the Margate artist have been selected by designer Laura Middlehurst from Kavel’s most recent work and archives. Visitors are invited to wander around the house & view pieces for sale, with the home setting providing a backdrop for a different kind of exhibition experience.
August - ‘Grey Gardens’ As part of the Pride Art Map and Stretch Outsider Art A huge flower piece at the old disused shelter at Newgate Gap, Margate. The colours are referenced from the cult 1975 documentary film Grey Gardens, specifically the wardrobe of fashion icon and eccentric Little Edie.
April - May ‘The Florist’ @projects_kavelrafferty Thanet Gas Spares, Margate.
2021
July ‘Queer Flower’ White Conduit project, London UK
2018
Dec - Jan ‘Unbroken’ - Liddicoat & Goldhill Project Space, Margate, Kent UK.
2017
Collages at the Turner Contemporary Cafe, Margate.
Group shows
2024
June - ‘Duly Noted’ Lou Melchior x Kavel Rafferty, Post Office Margate, Margate, Kent.
March - ‘Stop And Smell The Flowers’ Moira Frith, Kat Green, Kavel Rafferty, Post Office Margate, Margate, Kent.
2023
June - ‘Small And Mighty’ curated by Ladies drawing Club and Louise Fitzjohn - Online
May - ‘Queeriosities’ Curated by Davy Pitoors, Museum of the Home, London E2
March - ‘The Art Shop’ Curated by Lucinda Chambers, 8 Holland Street.
2022
December -´Bunch’ Co curated with Louise Fitzjohn of Liminal Gallery and took part in eight women and non-binary artists show at Hotel Michele, Margate, Kent UK.
August - Sept ´Les Painters’ Three queer women painters, curated by me, as part of the Margate Pride Art trail. Hotel Michele, Margate, Kent UK.
June - Sept ´Eternally Yours´ Somerset House, Strand, London.
April - May ‘Cats In Crisis’ (Two person show) Hotel Michele, Margate, Kent UK.
2021
March - April ‘Who Run The World’ Electric Gallery, London UK.
Aug - September ‘Pacific Breeze II’ White Conduit project, London UK.
July - Aug 'Where Were We' Resort Studios, Margate, Kent UK.
Oct - Dec ‘Turner Open’ Turner Contemporary, Margate, Kent UK.
2020
Dec - Jan ‘Flowers of Romance III’ White Conduit project, London UK.
Feb - March ‘Captura Temporal’ Casa Lu Gallery, CDMX. Mexico City, Mexico.
Sept - ‘Love Margate’ Art Car Boot, Margate, Kent UK.
2019
Nov - Dec ‘Ten’ Lombard St Gallery, Margate, Kent UK.
2018
Dec - Jan ‘Pacific Breeze I’ White Conduit project, London UK.