Kari de Koenigswarter

Kari de Koenigswarter (born 1950) is a Mexican-born artist working primarily with beeswax, raw pigments, and woodcut techniques, whose work is deeply informed by landscapes and topography.

Early life and training

De Koenigswarter was born in Mexico in 1950. She is the daughter of French diplomat Jules de Koenigswarter and Kathleen "Pannonica" Rothschild de Koenigswarter. She studied at the Edinburgh College of Art and the Leith School of Art, with additional training in printmaking at Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre and Edinburgh Printmakers.

Artistic style and materials

Her art explores the relationship between rock, water and sky, drawing parallels between various landscapes globally. She works chiefly in encaustic (beeswax and raw pigment) and also produces woodcut prints. Her process often involves melting beeswax, mixing pigments, layering, scraping and sculpting surfaces.

Notable works and exhibitions

Selected exhibitions

  • Terra Incognita, Social Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand (featured contemporary works in beeswax, reliefs and woodcut).
  • Art in Earth Science, organised by the Scottish Geology Trust / Edinburgh Palette.
  • Rockscapes, Aberfeldy Watermill, Scotland — a joint exhibition with Malize McBride.
  • Other exhibitions include: Llewellyn Alexander Gallery (London), The Affordable Art Fair (London), Robert’s Gallery (New York), 225 Gallery (New York), Glasgow Print Studio, Compass Gallery (Glasgow), Coburg House Open Studios (Edinburgh), Social Gallery (Wellington), and The Wellington Club.

Representative works

  • Malachite (2014), beeswax and pigments.
  • Cinnabar Landscape (2019), beeswax & pigments, 429 × 429 mm.
  • The Stack (2021), original woodcut & ink, 330 × 250 mm.
  • Abstract V (2021), solid carved beeswax tablet with pigments, framed, 525 × 405 mm.
  • Cliff Face (2023), beeswax, pigments & copper, 282 × 238 mm.
  • Wax Pebbles I & II, beeswax and pigments (smaller scale series).

Her works are held in private collections in Scotland, England, USA, Israel, and France.

Personal life

De Koenigswarter is married to the author and odonatologist Ruary Mackenzie Dodds.

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