Kathy Temin


Kathy Temin is an Australian artist who uses synthetic fur to create sculptural objects and installations. She is represented in a number of public collections in Australia and New Zealand and is a professor and Head of Fine Art at Monash University in Melbourne.

Use of synthetic fur

Temin has described how exposure to her father's work as a tailor work helped her to learn the sewing and craft techniques that she later utilised in her art. Temin predominantly works with faux fur. Temin says that she uses this fabric, which is associated with children's toys, to generate an emotional response. Writing on Frieze.com, Kit Wise has described the appearance of her sculptural works as "roughly cobbled together or misshapen, deliberately undercutting any idealism associated with the art object and positing instead something far more anxious and awkward.". Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald on the Royal Academy of Arts show "Australia" in London, esteemed Australian art critic John MacDonald was not impressed, and referred to Temin's work simply as "three large furry things"
Temin's most significant work with faux fur was a 2018 US$200,000 commission of Christmas decorations for Kayne West and Kim Kardashian in their Los Angeles home. Kardashian described the works as "a winter wonderland Whoville", whilst Ashley Greeg described them as "fuzzy Whoville beanbags" in reference to scenes from the famous childrens author Dr. Suess.
Temin has also worked with other textiles such as felt.

Works about fan culture

Temin has also done a series of works about the Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, and the phenomenon of fandom culture.

Public collections