Kate Chou’25 is a four-year Senior from Hong Kong. She has taken Studio Art for four years and is currently enrolled in Honors Advanced Studio Art Portfolio. Chou served as an Arts Editor of The Record for two years and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of The Review—the school’s student-led political journal— and a Blue Lead ambassador. She is also a member of Girls Varsity Squash.
When and why did you start studio art?
My journey began in my elementary school art class, where I developed a passion and love for painting. When I came to Hotchkiss, I decided to take studio art in my first year, and I really enjoyed it.
My teacher, Mr. Brad Faus, really pushed me to become an artist and encouraged me to continue doing art after my Lower Mid year.
Since then, my art teacher of two years, Ms. Terri Moore, director of studio art and Tremaine Art Gallery, has inspired me to pay attention to details and push the boundaries of what I am capable of.
What media do you like to work in?
I mostly paint. I have recently been more into oil painting. In my portfolio class, Ms. Moore told us to do a sustained investigation with our still life paintings, which involves exploring something that’s important to you or your identity, and transforming that into a piece of art. I decided on still lifes, because I was interested in exploring being a woman and the stereotypes that come with that.
The Tremaine Art Gallery’s The Circe Effect: Women’s Creative Power Reclaims the Narrative really inspired me. The exhibit took a narrative and identity that was created for women, and used irony to prove a point. In my artwork, I used stereotypical-driven messages of hatred and transformed them into art.
What’s one piece of art that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m very proud of the series I’m currently working on: a collection of three still lifes that depict the rearrangements of different objects. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the development of my artistic skill throughout the series, including my ability to paint realism with intricate detail.
What advice would you give to younger artists?
Take an art elective after Lower Mid year. I know it’s hard to give up your free periods for art, but it’s really worth it. It’s an opportunity to grow as a person and try something new—whether it be music, visual arts, or theater, take the opportunity to pursue a creative outlet.
