It’s always darkest before dawn | Kathrin Longhurst

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Kathrin Longhurst

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It’s always darkest before dawn, oil on linen, 182x182cm SOLD

Kathrin Longhurst

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kathrinlonghurst

Contemporary German-born Australian artist exploring themes of identity, gender and cultural heritage.

End of radio silence. I had a well deserved break

End of radio silence. I had a well deserved break immersed in ancient history, culture and civilisation surrounded by some of the best people I know. Life changing experiences that made me rediscover our shared humanity and appreciate our diversity. Feeling so inspired by my fellow travellers and can’t wait to see what comes from this journey together. Couldn’t be more grateful to the amazing, generous and passionate Eloise at @cato__gallery for opening opportunities like this to her artists.
#artjourney #arttravel #kathrinlonghurst #egypt #exploringegypt

Back in the studio before the “Coldest War” got sh

Back in the studio before the “Coldest War” got shipped to @galleryone_art
Catch it on the Gold Coast now.

From my interview with the gallery:
The Coldest War grew out of watching today’s political landscape shift back toward the same kind of ideological division and mistrust I remember from my childhood in East Germany. The majority of works were created during an art residency in Canada, that allowed me to focus on research and gave me time to deep dive into books and reading. I read “Beyond the Wall” by historian Katja Hoyer between painting sessions and kept returning to the way that propaganda images and slogans shaped how people thought and behaved. When I see similar patterns of manipulation and polarisation emerging today around the world, it feels hauntingly familiar. This body of work became a way for me to process that déjà vu and to examine how fear and loyalty are manufactured, both then and now.
#contemporaryart #figurativeart #kathrinlonghurst #australianart #residency #artwork #womeninart #artlovers

Opening soon at @galleryone_art “The Coldest War”

Opening soon at @galleryone_art “The Coldest War”
Can’t wait to see you on the Gold Coast 7th November 2025
Not Your Soldier, 2025, oil on linen, 95x95cm
#contemporaryart #figurativeart #kathrinlonghurst #australianart #womeninart #artcollector #painting

Raised by Uniforms, 2025, oil on linen, 95x95cm P

Raised by Uniforms, 2025, oil on linen, 95x95cm

Part of my upcoming exhibition “The Coldest War”
at @galleryone_art
Which opens on the 7th November

#coldwar #oilpainting #artbywomen #figurativeart

AUCTION ALERT !!! Coming up this week at Leonard J

AUCTION ALERT !!! Coming up this week at Leonard Joel is this gem from the middle of the pandemic in 2021
“October Song”, oil on linen, 121 x 121 cm.
Painted during a time of uncertainty, this work was part of my exhibition “Indoctrinated”, a deeply personal response to the wave of misinformation and propaganda that spread during that period.
The series explored the intersection of political indoctrination and everyday life that I experienced during my own childhood, combining historical and imagined propaganda imagery with photographs from my own East German childhood family album. Using photographic elements such as “light leaks,” blurred movement, and a nostalgic Polaroid aesthetic, these works blur the line between memory and myth and emotion and truth.
The exhibition at the time asked how collective and personal histories were shaped, not by facts but by the powerful pull of emotion.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/KATHRIN-LONGHURST-born-1971-Untitled-oil-on-can-118-c-B64D45BC7E

#auctionalert #leonardjoel #kathrinlonghurst #australianart #contemporaryart #artauction #indoctrinated #octobersong #oilpainting #figurativeart #artcollector #politicalart #artandmemory #australianartist #eastgermany #nostalgia #artforthought

#detail #hands #painting #oilpainting #ontheeasel

#detail #hands #painting #oilpainting #ontheeasel #inprogress #artstudio

A little sneak peek of the work I created during m

A little sneak peek of the work I created during my residency at @pouchcove_org - coming later this year!
So grateful to the formidable @marina.mssna for your trust and powerful presence in this piece.

Can’t wait to share more soon.

#Artistresidency #workinprogress #PouchCove #Figurativeart #Oilpainting #Contemporaryart #artistlife #BehindTheScenes #comingsoon #artsneakpeek #womeninart

Still soaking in the magic of a month spent in New

Still soaking in the magic of a month spent in Newfoundland, Canada, on residency at @pouchcove_org. I’m so grateful for the time, space, and inspiration this residency offered - and for the people who made it truly unforgettable.
Huge thanks to @james.baird.gallery and @verobriend for your generosity and hospitality. I’ll carry this experience with me for a long time.

July was made even better by these incredibly talented artists - my painting buddies and new friends:
@quinnhenderson.art @oliviadigregorio @katiebutler.art @zachatticus @damngunn @sheilaflahertyartist @orlin_mantchev @daniellawilliamsart

Can’t wait to see where we all go from here. 💫

#artistresidency #pouchcovefoundation #newfoundlandart #canadianlandscape #artcommunity #gratefulartist #artistlife #artistsoninstagram #pleinairpainting #contemporaryart #internationalartist #emergingartist #artistfriends #creativeexchange #newfoundlandartistresidency #thankyou #paintinglife #artjourney #artisttravel #canadianartscene

In the studio in 2021. Surrounded by some of my fa

In the studio in 2021. Surrounded by some of my favourite people ❤️

#artstudio #artlover #artlife #artist #studiolife #figurativeartist #portraitpaintings #artwork #largeartwork #contemporaryart

Painting in this little pocket of paradise. Art

Painting in this little pocket of paradise.

Art residency at @pouchcove_org

So inspired by the landscape, the friendly locals, a building full of art and art making, a huge art book library and the community of artists at this residence.

Shout out to the beautiful creatives I’ve met here. Can’t wait to see what is next for you.

@sheilaflahertyartist
@katiebutler.art
@quinnhenderson.art
@daniellawilliamsart
@oliviadigregorio
@damngunn
@zachatticus
@nicolesleeth

#artistresidency #artistresidencyprogram #contemporaryart #painters #artstudio #residency #artistsofinstagram #canadaresidency #newfoundland

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Forough has lived in Australia for 25 years and is a long-time advocate for justice, freedom, and human rights in Iran. A lifelong political activist, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about the ongoing struggles in her homeland.

She has been the host and singer at every memorial for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners and spent 15 years as a presenter on Radio Sedaye No, “The New Voice”. Her deep passion for human rights and singing continues to inspire both the Iranian community and those beyond it.

📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Fezeh arrived in Australia in 2013 and faced significant challenges upon her arrival. Despite these obstacles, she has become a dedicated teacher at a TSO Organisation, where she instructs sewing classes for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Through her work, Fezeh empowers others to gain new skills and confidently participate in Australian society.

On at @cato__gallery until 12 July
📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Naz is a resilient entrepreneur who came to Australia from Iran in 2013. Together with her mother, she founded a business that has flourished in her new homeland. Naz’s journey reflects her determination and her commitment to building a better future for herself and her family.

On at @cato__gallery until 12 July
📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

In Longhurst’s painting “Paradise Lost”, she confr

In Longhurst’s painting “Paradise Lost”, she confronts the personal and global anxieties that shape her view of an uncertain future. Through a stark palette and raw, uncompromising forms, she explores themes of resilience and disillusionment, evoking a world on the brink of collapse.
mixed media works echo this sense of disquiet. Large-scale and monochromatic, they are constructed with materials that bear the marks of decay—torn edges, crumpled fabrics, and distressed textures that lend a sense of erosion and collapse.
we glimpse a ravaged, dystopian backdrop—reminiscent of the grim forewarnings of Orwell and Huxley—where a fragile young woman in military uniform stands amidst ruin, a symbol of lost innocence against a decaying world.
especially impacting women and marginalised communities as societal divides deepen.

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Floura immigrated to Australia 31 years ago. Her work with children and her passion for art have led her to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where she has worked in various roles. Throughout her life, she has always valued freedom and human rights - for herself and for others - and she strives to uphold and advocate for these principles in her personal life, her work, and her home.

On at @cato__gallery until 12 July
📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Nasim arrived in Australia in 2024, bringing with her a remarkable background as a doctor, musician, and political activist. In Iran, she was deeply involved in the movement against the Islamic regime, providing medical care to protesters and using her voice as a singer to inspire change. Her courage and talents continue to shine as she builds a new life in Australia.

On at @cato__gallery until 12 July
📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”
Hamed is a courageous member of the LGBT community from Iran who endured years of discrimination and hardship before fleeing with his partner to Turkey. Despite spending nine difficult years in Turkey facing continued prejudice, Hamed never gave up hope. Last year, he finally arrived in Australia through a UNHCR refugee program. Now, Hamed is pursuing his passion by studying a baking course at TAFE, with the dream of one day opening his own café and building a brighter future.

On at @cato__gallery until 12 July

📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Tina is an architectural designer specialising in neurodiverse design, and a dedicated Councillor at the City of Ryde.
At the heart of all her work lies a deep commitment to advocacy, driven by a vision to create inclusive platforms that amplify the voices of marginalised and underrepresented communities.
Drawing inspiration from her own refugee journey and the challenges many individuals face due to diverse circumstances, Tina channels her lived experience into tireless community service, striving to drive meaningful, systemic change.

📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Setareh arrived in Australia as a child when her family fled the Iranian regime in search of safety and freedom. Growing up, she witnessed and experienced the profound challenges and trauma faced by her parents and herself as refugees. Despite these hardships, Setare has built a life of resilience and creativity—she is now both a dedicated teacher and a talented actress, using her experiences to inspire and empower others.

📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Colle

Meet the incredible people that are part of “Collective Threads”

Maryam arrived in Australia in 2012 after fleeing domestic violence, bravely seeking safety for herself and her child. Her journey inspired her to become a domestic violence activist, and she now works tirelessly to advocate for and support other women who are facing similar hardships, helping them find hope and a new beginning in Australia.

📷 @l.r.p.studio
#CollectiveThreads #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomen #WomensVoices #RefugeeVoices #artistsitter #artistmodel #portraitpainting

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© 2026 Kathrin Longhurst.

About
Exhibitions
- Past/Upcoming Exhibitions
- Settled / Unsettled Touring Exhibition
Gallery
Contact

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