Kate Craig

Kate Craig was a Canadian multi-media artist, whose work spanned the areas of costume, film, performance, and photography. Craig collaborated with many different artists throughout her career, working on various projects and assuming many different artistic personae, most notably "Lady Brute."

Kate (Catherine) Shand Craig was born September 15, 1947 in Victoria, British Columbia, to Sidney Osborne Craig (nee Scott) and Charles Edward Craig. In 1960 after her divorce from Charles Craig, Craig’s mother married Douglas Shadbolt and the family moved to Montréal, Québec. They spent one year in Montréal before moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1964, Craig enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts and Science program at Dalhousie University but dropped out in 1966 and moved to Montréal to work in the costume department of Le Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. 

In 1967, Craig moved to Victoria, and began studying at the University of Victoria, where she met the artist Eric Metcalfe. Craig and Metcalfe began living together, and were married in 1969. Craig also met Dana Atchley while at the University of Victoria, and became involved in several mail art networks, including Image Bank, International Image Exchange Directory, and the first International Satellite Exchange Directory. During 1970 and 1971, Craig travelled with Metcalfe around Europe. Upon returning to Canada, they moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. At this time they assumed the personas of Doctor Brute and Lady Brute. 

In 1973, Craig co-founded the Western Front Society with artists Martin Bartlett, Henry Greenhow, Glenn Lewis, Eric Metcalfe, Michael Morris, Vincent Trasov, and Moe Van Nostrand. The location of the Western Front Society at 303 East 8th Avenue was a focal point and source of collaborations throughout her career. Craig was on the board of directors of the Western Front, working full time in its administration from 1973 to 1993. In 1977, Craig established the Artist in Residence at the Western Front, and curated the media program until 1993. Craig continued to be involved as a volunteer at the Western Front after 1993. 

In 1973, Craig met artist Hank Bull, and they started living together. In 1974, Craig performed Flying Leopard in Cates Park and Hornby Island. In 1975, Craig produced her first video Skins: Lady Brute Presents Her Leopardskin Wardrobe. Also in 1975, Craig and Metcalfe exhibited Dr. and Lady Brute Present Spots Before Your Eyes at Western Front and A Space. In 1976, Craig co-founded The Canadian Shadow Players with Hank Bull, Patrick Ready, and Martin Bartlett. In the years after 1976, Craig spent around eight weeks during each summer at her cabin in Storm Bay, a wilderness camp in the Sechelt Inlet north of Vancouver.

From the late 1970s through the 1980s, Craig produced many films, including: Backup (1978), Still Life: A Moving Portrait (screened 1979), Straight Jacket (1980), Delicate Issue (screened 1981), Ma (1986), and Mary Lou (1989). In 1980 and 1981, Craig travelled around the world with Hank Bull, visiting many countries. In 1986, Clay Cove was exhibited as part of Luminous Sites, at Park Place, Vancouver. In 1990, Craig married Hank Bull. In her later life she was involved in the Fragrant Flora nursery with Glenn Lewis, and remained active in the Vancouver art community. Skin, a retrospective exhibition of Craig’s work, was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1998.

In 2002, Kate Craig died of cancer at her cabin at Storm Bay.