In the eclectic world of contemporary art, Kate Jenkins stands out with her unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and remarkable craftsmanship. Through her crochet hook, everyday items and comfort foods are transformed into vibrant, tactile works of art that engage the senses, making her the perfect fit for a Leroy’s Place collaboration. Our much-anticipated upcoming art opening with Kate brings her to New Orleans for the first time, where she’ll be “serving” up her newest creations that have the iconic flavor of NOLA woven into them.
Kate Jenkins’ journey into the world of art and design began with a passion for textiles that took her to Brighton University, where she immersed herself in the world of fashion knitwear design, leading her to specialize in knitwear for some of the world’s most famous labels, including Donna Karen, Missoni and Marc Jacobs. During this time she developed her keen eye for detail and a singular understanding of texture, color and pattern that would later become the hallmark of her artistic expression.
Kate began her own fashion label in 2003 called Cardigan, where little crocheted flowers and tiny animals created special, signature touches to scarves and gloves. Thinking of a clever way to grab attention for her brand: she started knitting favorite British foods. People loved her classic English breakfasts and fish and chips rendered in yarn, and the sold-out collection launched her career into an exciting new direction with art galleries commissioning her to make new food-related items.
Kate won the public vote for the Textile Biennale in 2021, and was awarded the prize of having a solo show in The Netherlands at the famous Museum Rijswijk. “Cafe Kate,” which ran from November 2022 through March 2023, transformed the newest museum wing into a magical food plaza, with adjoining installations named Kate’s Bakes and Kate’s Cones.
Most recently, Kate was asked by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia to knit six iconic luxury handbags—ranging from Gucci to Hermes—which were featured in its May 2023 edition. Kate also recreated the famous Chanel No.5 perfume bottle using yarn and sequins for Chaos 69 magazine, which resulted in a multi-page spread.
We are thrilled to host Kate Jenkin’s at Leroy’s Place on March 15th at our New Orleans gallery as one of our feature openings this year. We’re so happy to share a brand new collection of original artwork with you!
