Catherine Cartwright

I am an associate researcher and practising artist. My research areas are trauma-informed practices in community arts and research methodologies, with a particular interest in collage as a trauma-informed medium.

I’m a visual artist who mainly works in printmaking to explore current social and political issues—especially the tension between power and powerlessness. I’m interested in how we, both as individuals and as a society, learn about and engage with difficult knowledge, so that we are empowered rather than overwhelmed. My work is grounded in reading, research, and community involvement. 

I’m currently working in two main areas. The first focuses on civil liberties, especially how we define and value privacy. We are in the middle of a major shift in how privacy is understood. With growing surveillance—both online and in person—I’m interested in how we are responding, whether we care, and what this means for our future human rights. I began this work with Brave New World (2019). I’m continuing it in collaboration with Leonie Bradley on FaceScreen – Routes of Disconsent (ongoing), and in my own practice with Nothing to Hide, Nothing to Fear (ongoing).

My second area of work is gender-based violence (GBV). GBV stems from gender inequality, the abuse of power, and harmful behaviours that society has normalised. Much GBV happens under the radar, silenced through a culture of shame and victim blaming. I aim to make trauma-sensitive, thought-provoking work that opens up conversation about these difficult and often silenced issues. This work draws on community involvement (Exeter Women’s Refuge 2013–2014; Devon Rape Crisis volunteer 2021–2024) and research (PhD thesis and forthcoming publications). My work in this area includes, The Last Resident (2014), To Have and To Hold and The Refuge Manifesto (both 2015), Reclaim (2017) and Hidden/Seen (2022). Current work includes Spoils (2025), Portrait Keyrings (2024) and Worthy/Unworthy (2025).

I have a Masters in Multidisciplinary Printmaking (distinction) from the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (2018).

My PhD, awarded 2024, was a deep dive into ‘trauma-informed’ artist practice and the potential of collage for both trauma-informed practice and research methodology. My thesis can be found here. Funded by the South West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership, Arts and Humanities Research Board.

I offer training in trauma-informed collage both with community groups and as a research method. Please email me catherine[at]catherinecartwright.co.uk to enquire.