Kath Unsworth is a visual artist based on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Working primarily in pen, ink, coloured pencil, and collage, she explores the space between close observation and imagination through depictions of native birdlife and garden ecosystems. Her practice is deeply shaped by her surroundings—lush bushland, shifting seasons, and the birds who arrive and depart on their own terms.
Kath first became known for intricate black-and-white pen and ink drawings, where fine line and pattern invite slow looking. In recent years she has expanded into coloured pencil, using light, colour, and contrast to convey mood and emotion. A pivotal moment in her artistic journey followed the Black Summer bushfires of 2020. After losing her rental home and witnessing the devastation of local habitats, her work gained a renewed sense of purpose.
Since then, Kath has focused on honouring resilience in nature and encouraging care for the small, often overlooked details of the everyday world. This shift led to coloured pencil works on black paper, creating an intimate, emotive counterpoint to her earlier monochrome pieces. Her current body of work documents the gradual renewal of her garden and the return of birdlife in Quaama, a long-term project.