ARTIST MENTORING & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Throughout my career I have actively sought to support university students and emerging artists in their professional development as artists, irrespective of their specialism; I keenly felt the lack of support during my emerging years. Getting support, encouragement and professional guidance at the right time in one's career can have a profound effect. I particularly specialise in public art and historic photographic techniques and offer 1-1 support. I can also devise a bespoke programme for a group. For further information and testimonials please read on.
Testimonial / Silver Gelatine Printing Versus Carbon Printing / Technical Support for Darkroom Production 2023
THOMAS ALLWELL
'Katayoun is a very personable and experienced alternative printer, who took the time to understand my specific requirements and adjust her workshop scope to accommodate, providing me with a strong understanding of the fundamentals behind each process and the necessary skillset to implement the techniques on my own. Very appreciative of the support and guidance that she provided.'
Testimonial / Technical Support / 2019
DR PATTI GAAL-HOLMES
I have sought Katayoun’s assistance for technical and aesthetic aspects of my experimental photographic and film practice; and she has acted as a mentor on an Arts Council funded project. Katayoun’s knowledge and expertise in the darkroom and studio have been instrumental in assisting my development and confidence as a practitioner and researcher. This is not only due to Katayoun’s in-depth knowledge and professionalism, but also her extensive generosity: there is always enough time to ask further questions and push technical or aesthetic processes further. I would highly recommend Katayoun’s assistance and mentorship as her extensive knowledge and support is delivered with expertise, generosity and kindness.
Testimonial / Mentoring / 2016
REBECCA GOULDSON
"Baron's Quay was my first large public art project. The commissioning process was different to other ones I'd worked through, as were the types of people involved. Katayoun was a warm, sensitive and supportive mentor who guided me through the project. I found Katayoun's expertise in site specific research and artistic responses particularly helpful. She was generous with sharing her past approaches to projects, showing the range of people and places that it's possible to reach out to as well as introducing me to key figures in the local community. Attending project meetings with the client, architects, contractors and art consultants involved understanding what information I needed to get across, and how to communicate this most effectively. Katayoun helped me with this and also made suggestions as to how to problem solve particular challenges as they arose. If I were to sum up my experience of Katayoun as a mentor, I'd say she has a wealth of expertise that she shared sensitively, with a nurturing approach, encouraging me to find my confidence within a challenging new working environment.
Images: Core, Barons Quay, Northwich. Photo credit to Rebecca Gouldson
IN-SITE / Chatham & Rochester 2014
LEAD ARTIST - MENTORING PROGRAMME
In December 2014 I was appointed as Lead Artist, by FrancisKnight Public Art Consultancy, for IN-SITE. To devise a mentoring programme for 6 artists working in the Medway region, leading to a Creative Seminar. The aim of the programme was to bring together artists to work collaboratively, across art-forms, on three large-scale temporary public art projects.
“The mentoring programme for IN-SITE provided critical review and reflection, where shared experiences formed the majority of the debate.”
FrancisKnight
The Lead Artist’s role was two-fold; one task was to create and deliver a bespoke programme of mentoring for artists wishing to work in the public realm, involving other experienced artists and arts professionals. The other task was to support FrancisKnight and Medway Council in creating and delivering a Creative Seminar with a focus on art and regeneration. This was a means of disseminating all the learning outcomes and good practice achieved from the IN-SITE programme within the context of the regeneration of Rochester Riverside and to establish a precedence for embedding future projects and opportunities for artists in such schemes.
Creative Seminar - “Gutted to go – great, provocative, educational & inclusive day.’” Jo Verrent Senior Producer for Unlimited
Image: Photo credit Maria Coombes
Testimonial / Technical Support 2003
TABATHA ANDREWS
Katayoun supported me in the production of several huge contact prints for my residency at Gloucester Cathedral in 2002-3, providing superb technical and creative advice and working tirelessly with me through the night to bring the works to fruition. Her knowledge of the applications of photography to sculptural practice and art in public places is second to none. It would be a privilege to work with her again and I would highly recommend her as a first-class mentor to other artists.
Image: Colours (61st) 2003 : contact print 186 x 145 cm. Part of a series made about Gloucester Cathedral's Standard Bearers.
