Kathryn Martin
An internationally recognised illustrator and educator has been highly commended in the Worcester Spirit Award category at the inaugural University of Worcester Alumni Awards.
Kathryn Martin, who studied BA (Hons) Illustration at the University of Worcester between 2010 and 2013, was recognised for her creative achievements, commitment to education and continued connection to the values she developed during her time at the University.
“I was very flattered; I was not expecting it at all,” said Kathryn, who hails from Loughton, Essex.
Since graduating, Kathryn has built an impressive career in illustration and higher education. She completed an MA in Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art in 2015 and has since gained recognition through numerous national and international illustration awards. Among her achievements is winning the Professional Research Category at the World Illustration Awards in 2019.
Since 2021, Kathryn has been a Senior Lecturer in Illustration at Ravensbourne University London, where she combines her professional practice with supporting and mentoring the next generation of creative talent.
Her illustration work has been exhibited internationally and, in 2023, her short comic The Spirit of Vaslav Nijinsky was exhibited at Bethlem Museum of the Mind. The exhibition led to an invitation to speak about her research into the life and career of celebrated ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
Kathryn praised the support and encouragement she received during her time at Worcester.
“Worcester Illustration allowed me to engage with illustration theory and techniques in a way that I could experiment with in the context of my own art interests,” she said.
She paid particular tribute to her tutors, Piet Grobler and Tobias Hickey, whose guidance helped shape her future career.
“I could not have gone on to do the academic work and research since graduating if it wasn’t for their grounding and support while at University of Worcester,” she said. “I feel lucky to have had them as mentors when I was a student, and I use them as inspiration in my own teaching work, in the hopes I can now be that person for current Illustration students at Ravensbourne University London.”
The Worcester Spirit Award celebrates graduates who embody the values, creativity and community spirit associated with the University.