Cathy Kata
Artist Statement
Cathy Kata was born in 1966 in Pakin Village in the
Nebliyer region of Western Highlands Province, Papua
New Guinea. Her tribal group is Kapia Ulgu; her language,
Timbuka. She lives and works in Goroka.
Cathy has been a professional bilum (string bag) maker
since 2003, well known in PNG for her “bilumwear”:
fashion garments for men and women, created
using traditional hand-weaving techniques. Cathy
also conducts classes to share her skills with women
in her community. While bilums are traditional accoutrements.
in many parts of PNG, Cathy and her
colleagues are taking the form in new directions with a
wide range of bilum styles, accessories, and derivations,
using new and traditional materials.
Cathy has won awards and acclaim for her work in
a number of recent competitions. In 2007, she was
an artist in residence at the de Young Museum in San
Francisco, where she also conducted workshops with
the local community.