As a talented painter as well as a well-known actress, Kathleen Sue Spielberg, is better known by her stage name Kate Capshaw. born on November 3, 1953, Capshaw is most recognised for her performance as Willie Scott in her husband Steven Spielberg’s 1984 film “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”. Her painting career and her exhibition, “Unaccompanied,” are what have, nevertheless, been grabbing the interest and affection of art lovers everywhere.
Kate Capshaw began her art studies in 2009 and delved into the fields of portraiture, painting, and sketching, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life. But it wasn’t until 2016 that she discovered a special and meaningful purpose for her work. Capshaw saw a chance to raise awareness of important social concerns, particularly youth homelessness, by using her portraiture skills. Her artistic path took a significant shift, and her creations started to demonstrate her dedication to changing the world.
Kate Capshaw Artworks
“Unaccompanied,” Capshaw’s debut solo show, was on display at Columbus State University’s Bo Bartlett Centre till May 12, 2023. The series “Unaccompanied” features life-size busts and portraits of homeless children and teenagers living in marginalised areas of several American cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, St. Louis, and New York. These images convey a powerful message by bringing to light the terrible fact that, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 4.2 million children in the US are homeless each year, with 700,000 of them being unaccompanied minors.
Kate Capshaw’s relationship with the people she studied for “Unaccompanied” was developed via her work with youth development programmes including The Door in New York and The Night Ministry in Chicago. Many of these young people are in and out of foster care frequently, and they often opt to stay hidden and enveloped in the anonymity of the night. It is even more important to use art to tell the stories of those who dare to go out during the day, as they are often disregarded or overlooked.
Kim Sajet, director of the gallery, and Dorothy Moss, curator of painting and sculpture at the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, were drawn to Capshaw’s remarkable portraiture. Inspired by their zeal, Kate Capshaw entered and placed as a finalist in the 2019 prestigious Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. This acknowledgement made it possible for her striking portraits to be exhibited on a national scale.
“Unaccompanied” started out as an exhibit of alla prima studies at the Los Angeles Hope Centre. Kate Capshaw discovered a compelling artistic subject in 2016 when she happened to meet paediatrician and Violence Intervention Programme creator Dr. Astrid Heppenstall Heger by happenstance. These studies demonstrate the collaborative aspect of her work, as they were carried out with the support of youth organisations and social professionals.
Professionals in the sector selected the subjects for her photos from youth homes and shelters. Throughout their sessions, each subject received the highest level of respect, was encouraged to dress however they felt most comfortable, and was given food and beverages. The resulting portraits are a compelling illustration of each young person’s uniqueness and resiliency.
Kate Capshaw’s dedication to using her work to raise awareness of the problem of teenage homelessness is highly commendable. The exhibition “Unaccompanied” is a powerful and moving call to acknowledge the value of a better environment for these children. Kate Capshaw has had a fantastic artistic journey and has had a tremendous impact on society. She uses her talent to bring attention to topics that need our understanding.
Source:
- Wikipedia
- Art News
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