RISE is a local charity rooted in community. We’re local people, providing services for local people. We know that our community has our back, and the support we get around our events, campaigns and work provides a source of strength on the dark days.
Our recently launched merch collection is great example of this. For the last few months, we’ve been working with two brilliant local female artists - Kate and Sri – and as a result of their work and creativity, we’re proud to offer a range of T-shirts, mugs, fridge magnets and greetings cards, featuring exclusive designs, both of which celebrate women.
Let us introduce you!
Kate Matthews
With a background including archaeological illustration, etching and time spent studying in Holland, Kate (Kathryn) Matthews is an artist known for her colourful landscapes. Her cheerful and sunny paintings feel like holidays – we quite fancy some time in Club Tropicana!
Kate is excited to support RISE and says, “Many thanks to the fantastic community at RISE for choosing me as one of your new logo artists. I am delighted to be able to support RISE through my design which I hope encapsulates the strength of women helping women. Together we are stronger!
I am passionate about giving a voice to women of domestic abuse and so very proud that my design resonated. Thank you for allowing me to contribute my skills to visually represent the strength, hope and resilience that RISE stands for within our community.”
Kate is one of the co-founders of the Two Kats And A Cow Gallery on Brighton Beach, which hosts a permanent exhibition of her work and you can also see more from Kate on Instagram @kathrynmatthewsartist
Sri McKinnon
With 15 years experience as a creative youth workshop practitioner alongside her own creative practice and running the music inspired apparel brand: Art of Soul Studio, Sri McKinnon is an artist & Illustrator an artist/illustrator of dual heritage whose work explores themes of identity, femininity, and multiculturalism.
Sri has had three Solo London Art Exhibitions and has been a featured live artist at events at The Institute of Contemporary Arts, Tate Britain and Hayward Gallery. She describes herself as having has been ‘blessed’ to paint collaborative murals at Soundwave Festival, Croatia and to be part of the crew who curate and build the Near Mint Record Fair Tent at Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here Festival every summer.
Evoking Maya Angelou’s famous poem, Sri’s bold And Still I Rise design is a powerful expression of strength, set against the iconic Brighton Pavillion with our famous seagulls overhead.
Sri is available for bespoke commissions and creative youth workshops. Find out more on her website or check out her work on Instagram @artofsoul.studio
We are delighted to be working with both Sri and Kate – explore their work on our Etsy and give a gift that does good, and showcases the work of an incredible local artist.
