Memories of Water
Katherine Kratzer
May 7 - June 7, 2026
Katherine Kratzer, "2000 Bends," Kankakee River, Indiana, circa 1880. Watercolor paper, pigment, flax, sterling silver, 16 x 16 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Hidden Layers," paper pulp, ebonized sterling silver, 29 x 10 x 10 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Grand Kankakee Marsh," flax, iris and cotton papers, photographs, 18 x 18 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Cautionary Tail" watercolor paper, paper pulp, pigment and thread, 18 x 18 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Morgan Swamp Preserve," handmade papers, paper pulp, ebonized sterling silver, copper and fern leaves, 19 x 19 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Greatest Baby Nursery," paper pulp, watercolor paper, kudzu, flax, silk thread, 17 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Drowning Dream #7," watercolor paper, gel, pen, spray paint, 41 x 26 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Drowning Dream #5," watercolor paper, gel, pen, spray paint, 41 x 26 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Still Crying," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "The Gathering of Two," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Frozen River," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "What is Truth #3," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "What is Truth #1," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "What is Truth #2," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Katherine Kratzer, "Water's Edge," digital print, 20 x 14 inches.
Memories of Water
“The intertwining of memories and water is sacred to me. Water has always been my guiding force for remembering happiness, sadness, nurturing and protecting. Recreating these memories with paper - for what is paper but fiber plus water - I found the perfect conduit for my stories. When paper is soaked, torn, cut, colored and printed upon, the past is released, and the unknowable awaits. Paper captures images, rivers and wetlands burst forth, and dreams come full circle.”
About the Artist
Katherine Kratzer received her degree in Journalism/Political Science from the University of Iowa. She also studied art at the U of I, Middletown Fine Art Center, Irving College of Minneapolis, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. She currently maintains a studio practice in Syracuse, Indiana and is a member of North American Hand Papermakers and Paper Lab Berlin.