Kate Hadley (b. 2001) is originally from the Wollondilly region of New South Wales, and is currently practicing in Sydney. Her practice is driven by a longing to retain a sense of wonder and curiosity that is central to childhood experiences. Drawing from her archive of family photos, she explores the presence and absence of memory, focusing on themes of identity, temporality and nostalgia using oil paint. Times of transition, such as weddings, birthdays, holidays and other forms of social gathering and celebration are common subjects of her paintings as she investigates how these secular rituals shape individual and collective identity. Tone and transparency are central to her process as she considers the tension between the clarity of these nostalgic rituals and milestones alongside the inadequacy of the memory itself. Her work is a melancholic reflection of times past, where transparency and ambiguity become a vehicle for memory and the transience of human experiences.

In 2025, Hadley completed her Bachelor of Fine Art degree at the National Art School, with an emphasis in painting. Her works have been shown in various selected group exhibitions highlighting emerging artists including Fresh and Found, Scratch Art Space (Sydney, 2025) and New Year Fresh Canvas, Goodspace Gallery (Sydney, 2025), as well as The Grad Show at The National Art School. In 2026, she will continue her studies at the National Art School completing her Bachelor of Fine Art (honours).

EDUCATION

2026- Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours), National Art School, Sydney
2023- 2025- Bachelor of Fine Art, National Art School, Sydney

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2026- Harvey Galleries National Art School Graduate Exhibition, Harvey Galleries, Sydney
2025- The Grad Show, National Art School, Sydney
2025- Fresh and Found, Scratch Art Space, Sydney
2025- New Year Fresh Canvas, Goodspace Gallery, Sydney

AWARDS

2025- Harvey Galleries Exhibition Prize