Katherine Gailer
“Trust that challenging moments are the best opportunities to grow”
Katherine Gailer
Country of origin: Colombia
Occupation: Multidisciplinary Artist
State of Residency: Melbourne, Victoria
Favourite place in Australia: Australian Rainforests
Biggest surprise when arriving to Australia: Mixture of so many cultures in one single street
Edited by Cristina Ponce-Abela. Socials by Juan Camilo.
Katherine is an award winning multidisciplinary artist originally from Colombia, currently based in Melbourne. Her practice encompasses large-scale mural painting, oil painting, design, and music. Through her work she explores cultural identity, the natural environment, women's empowerment, magical realism, and contemporary design. She is also the female lead singer of music project Amaru Tribe – which is a global bass act exploring the intersection between cultures, music from Latin America, urban flow, and electronica. She strives to weave together creativity, community building, and a celebration of her Latin American heritage. It is also her intention to create art that deeply resonates with people and contributes to the rich cultural fabric of Australia.
TELL US YOUR STORY
My journey since arriving in Australia in 2008 has been one of self-discovery and courage. I initially came on a working holiday visa, but quickly fell in love with the art scene in Melbourne, which motivated me to stay and pursue my artistic career. While I only had two contacts here initially, I found myself connecting with artist collectives that occupied studios in iconic Melbourne warehouses, where creativity and events were thriving.
Amaru Tribe Performance. Phot by PF35 Media
I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters in Arts Management at RMIT University. To support my studies, I worked as a barista for many years, juggling my job with my artistic pursuits. I continued juggling artistic projects and part-time jobs (Barista, Retail Assistant and Showroom Consultant at Porter’s Paints) until I reached a point where I could dedicate myself full-time to my creative profession. I understood the importance of diversifying my income, practice, and reach within the artistic industry, which led me to explore different realms and opportunities. In my experience, collaboration has played a significant role in connecting with others and stepping out of my comfort zone.
I believe that my different practices nurture each other and contribute to making sense of my reality here. My work as a mural artist has been particularly fulfilling, pushing the boundaries of art as a vehicle for social cohesion. Many of my projects have resulted in engaging participatory experiences that involve the community. I have also had the opportunity of exhibiting in various galleries alongside inspiring artists and participating in renowned art and music festivals such as Womadelaide, Bluesfest, and Strawberry Fields. And for all of these I am deeply grateful.
Currently, I am working on various exciting projects. One of them is an immersive experience called "Resonance" - which will be held at the Melbourne Museum - in collaboration with 6 talented artists. I am also actively working with two music projects: Amaru Tribe and a new Colombian drum ensemble. In general, I have maintained a strong drive and dedication to my craft. I embrace the understanding that growth may be slow but steady. I believe my contribution to Australia lies in the humble realm of cultural representation and community building. Through my endeavours in painting, music, and gathering, I strive to tell the story of our Latin American land, sharing the vibrant and diverse aspects of our heritage with the broader Australian community. By offering a cultural perspective that may be unfamiliar to some, I hope to enrich the art scene and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse cultural landscape.
Moreover, I believe in the power of community gathering, creating spaces where people can come together, connect, and celebrate our shared experiences. In this way, I aim to foster a sense of belonging and unity among both the Latin American diaspora and the wider Australian society. Ultimately, I view my contribution as united effort to promote understanding, appreciation, and cultural exchange, embracing the beauty of our Latin American roots while weaving them into the vibrant tapestry of Australia's multicultural fabric.
On this journey, I've been fortunate to receive recognition for my work with awards such as the 2018 People's Choice Award at the Corangamarah Art Prize, the 2018 Packer's Art Prize at the Red Rock Regional Gallery in Victoria, and the 2017 ROI Art Prize in Melbourne. Alongside Amaru Tribe, we have been finalists for the Music Victoria Awards and for the 2018 International Songwriting Competition for ‘El Girasol’.
Embera Sisters art by Katherine
CHALLENGES
Distance - The main challenge for me is the distance between Australia and Colombia. Not being able to see my family, friends, and feel my land as often as I would like to is extremely challenging.
Australian cultural context - Adjusting to the Australian cultural context while embracing my strong Latin American background was challenging.
Stability - In early years it was challenging to find stability in terms of work and housing. I remember I moved a thousand times from share house to share house. Finding good friends that eventually became family was key.
CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES
Manada - I don’t know if this will translate well to English, but I think one of the most beautiful values of Latin America is that we are ‘herd’ people. In Spanish, we refer to this as being part of a "manada," which signifies moving and supporting each other as a collective. It was this knowledge that helped me create my own ‘manada’ here in Australia.
Curious minds - Australians and Colombians share a mutual openness, curiosity, and respect towards each other's cultures. This creates a beautiful middle ground where cultural exchange thrives. Both cultures value and embrace openness, fostering an environment of acceptance and interest in diverse backgrounds.
Hard work - Colombians and Australians are very hard-working people. I was raised with a strong sense of integrity and the importance of honouring my word and work commitments. These values have greatly assisted me in settling in Australia and earning the trust and confidence of those around me.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Come with an open mind - Be prepared to embrace new career and work opportunities that may come your way. Australia offers a different context where personal and professional growth are likely to occur throughout your journey.
Create your community - Weaving a supportive and strong community around you is the real success of whatever you want to do in Australia.
The struggle is part of the process - Trust that challenging moments are the best opportunities to grow. Reach out, be kind to yourself and stay connected to the people you love.
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Katherine envisions herself immersed in the arts, surrounded by her beloved friends and family. Her goal is to create projects that foster a stronger connection between Colombia and Australia, building a bridge of cultural exchange, empowerment and understanding.
If you want to know more about Katherine, find her here:
Facebook > @Katira.Art
Instagram > @katherine_gailer_art
Twitter > @KatherineGailer
LinkedIn > katherine-gailer
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With love and gratitude - Latin Stories Australia team