Interpretations – Catherine Lily Mearns, RSA x Wasps Award Winner 2024

This exhibition showcases a series of recent works inspired by the interpretation of phrases, interactions, and the life of the artist, Catherine Lily Mearns.

Interpretations is a collection of works born from the individuality of perception. How each individual interprets what they hear and internalise. There are no facts, only interpretations; with every retelling of a story you change the original memory. Reframing our lives.

Inspired by phrases such as slipping through my fingers, and every cloud has a silver lining. I reflected on how certain sayings spoke to me, and how I personally interpret them. How they resonated with me when I pondered over them built up the composition. What in my life do I see through these sayings?

My creative process is reflection, I apply my vision through mark making and expressive forms, taking a painterly approach to my use of media. I love having fun with my work, while posing a question to the viewer and in this exhibition through a mix of media I was able to do so. In the last few years I discovered a love for ceramics and what they can symbolise, previously using them as a reference to the human form. Using paints, inks, and glazes for my expression I can capture the vibrancy, the delicacy and the rush of life. By reframing my experiences through each piece I create, I am better able to understand the world around me.

Catherine Lily Mearns is a multidisciplinary artist based in the North-east of Scotland. They studied Painting (Hons) at Grays School of Art RGU graduating in 2024. Colour harmony and fun palettes are hugely important in their work, expressing ideas using a range of mediums. “My work is an indirect link into my life, I want the viewer to feel closer to me through how they interpret my works.”

Catherine Lily Mearns is based in the North-east of Scotland. They studied Painting (Hons) at Grays School of Art RGU graduating in 2024. In 2025, Catherine exhibited as part of the The Graduates Show at Tatha Gallery. In 2024 they exhibited in the SSA Annual Exhibition at The Royal Scottish Academy, where they won the The Wasps New Contemporaries Award. Also in 2024, Catherine exhibited in exhibitions: New Year, New Me, New World Order! at Edinburgh Palette Gallery, Analogous at Moray Art Centre, Class of 24 in the Scottish Ceramics Gallery and Gray’s Degree Show at Grays School of art.