Katherine Penney : Misaligned

In printmaking, misalignment occurs when layers fail to register correctly, creating a sense of displacement.

Misaligned is a nod to a once-shared printmaking practice between Katherine Penney and her late father, Ulster University  lecturer in Fine Art Print, Bill Penney. Death feels like a disjointed reality that is difficult to reconcile with - things simply don’t line up. An emotional disconnect that underscores the paradox of grief: the pain of loss alongside the enduring gift of love. A co-existence of presence and absence.

Integral to the work is the concept of objects as “information packages.” Each item holds fragments of identity, prompting existential questions about legacy—not only the physical traces left behind, but also the lessons and inspiration that continue to resonate in the lives of those who remain.

Rooted in elements of Art Psychotherapy, this exhibition addresses the complexity of loss and the practical realities of death. The work aims to provide a safe and reflective space for viewers to engage with this universal experience and confront the societal taboo around discussing death openly.

In celebrating the friendship between my father and me, this body of work offers a testament to how relationships with deceased loved ones do not end with their passing, but transform into something new.

Biography

Katherine Penney is a Northern Irish artist and art psychotherapist specialising in printmaking and photography. A graduate of the University of Ulster, Katherine studied a BA in Fine and Applied Art before completing an MA. Her early work was exhibited at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and internationally including London, Barcelona, Shanghai and Ottawa. She has also worked with professional art and design practices including Nicola Green and Heatherwick Studio London. At Breathe Arts Health Research she designed creative interventions for patients and staff at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital. In 2023, she completed an MSc in Art Psychotherapy. Special thanks to the Arts Council Northern Ireland, for their support with creating this latest body of work.