1) What inspires your art?

My work is inspired by the water forming incredible patterns that are there one second and gone the next. Everything is fleeting on the water; it is beautiful but there is danger and treachery underneath the surface. I’m intrigued by that dichotomy.

2) How do you see the world of whisky and the world of art colliding/what drew you to Royal Salute?

There are parallels between my work and Royal Salute’s whisky making process; I take a very humble material, the feather, and make sculptures of hopefully exquisite beauty.

In this collaboration, rich amber gold pheasant feathers are juxtaposed against striking copper elements, reflecting the Scottish hills and flowing water, and the effect that nature has on whisky making.

My work merges together with Royal Salute Whisky to create something quite magical.

3) What feelings do you look to provoke in people who experience your ‘Paragon’ sculpture?

What I try to do in my work is to get you to re-examine your preconceptions of what you think nature is. I’m always interested in getting you to look again, to question what you think you know… and enjoy nature in a different way.

4) What’s your favourite Royal Salute whisky and how do you like to drink it?

I particularly enjoy Royal Salute’s Signature Blend in a Kensington cocktail; it’s light and refreshing.

5) What’s next for Kate MccGwire? Can you give us an insight into any upcoming projects?

I am working on several large-scale private commissions which are very exciting…watch this space!

Discover MccGwire’s full podcast here.