A visual journey by an artist from Papua New Guinea, now living in the Highlands
Cathy MacLeod (nee Street)
Cathy works as a graphic artist and illustrator using both traditional art media and digital art technology. She completed her studies in graphic design with CATC Design School, Brisbane before moving to Scotland with her family in 2015 and now lives in Dingwall.
Born in a small mission village called Veifa'a Mekeo in the Central Province of Papua Niugini, Cathy's family relocated to Cairns, Australia in the early '70s. She was raised with her three brothers and sister, immersed in Australian, Papuan and Torres Strait Islander tradition and culture. Cathy married her high school sweetheart, Inverness born Rory MacLeod in 1992.
Her style is influenced by her Pacific Islander heritage and her husband's Scottish culture. The repeating shark's tooth, spear point and basket patterns tie Cathy's Scottish influenced land and sea works to her heritage. The village life works tell the stories of some of the many Papuan cultural groups and are heavily influenced by the tradition of carved story boards.