Dum Spiro Spero - While I Breathe, I Hope

Kia ora! Hola!

Welcome and thanks for taking the time to learn more about Wiphala and my art.

Wiphala is the flag that represents the native people of Los Andes in South America. Inspired by these people, I want to be conscious of the environment and promote union and an eco-friendly life. I love to create portraits that have meaning for everyone.

A working artist, I offer portraits for every age and style that reflect your unique personality and make you feel comfortable. I draw on my creativity to help you stand out, making you look fantastic in your profile photo, whether it's for business or a social media profile.

I also love branding photography and all the creative processes behind it. I love styling people and creating sets and believe that photography is a powerful tool that connects one universe with another.

Wiphala's vision is connection through photography, and I especially love using the medium to help integrate those that find themselves on the fringes of society.

Bio

Kat Beyle is a professionally trained photographer graduating in 2010 from the INCA-CEA Professional Institute of Sciences and Arts. Originally from Chile, now living in beautiful Nelson, she has over a decade of studio and non-studio based professional photography experience.

Kat is an artist and traveller at heart and enjoys weaving creativity and uniqueness into her professional shoots.

Artist Statement

My passion for the camera was ignited during my university studies where I discovered that photography means "writing with light", a concept that profoundly shaped my artistic journey. This has inspired me to work with techniques such as multiple exposure, slow shutter speed and movement. I am passionate about colour, style, art and light.

My focus on nature, flora, landscapes and community utilises photography as a tool to bridge different worlds and cultures. I love being grounded in the origins of photographic principle while exploring new techniques and pushing creative boundaries.

Colorful checkered flag with red, yellow, white, green, and blue squares flying in the wind against a clear blue sky.

Some of Our Clients:

• Nelson City Council

• Fletcher Vautier Moore

• Te Whare Ora - The Healing Hut

• Two Thumbs Brewing

• Classical Pilates Teacher Training (Queenstown-Nelson)

• Muesli and Co

• Nurses Investing For Wealth

• Shared Communities

• Pacific Communities

• Latin America & Spain Film Festival (LASFF)

• Cultural Conversations

• Makeshift Spaces

Exhibitions:

• Tuku 23: 23 People, 230 Seconds, 2/3 Questions, 23 Photographs April 2023 - Cultural Conversations, Nelson.

• Beyond Borders: June 2023 - The Refinery ArtSpace, Nelson.

• Apricity: November 2023 - By Whakatū Residency Sharing, Nelson Arts Festival, Suter Theatre, Nelson.

• Portraits for Peace: June-July 2024 - Cultural Conversations, Nelson.

• Portraits for Peace: July 2024 - Gaza Baazar, Nelson

• Portraits for Peace: August 2024 - Food for Peace, Christchurch

• Spring and Summer Exhibitions: September-December 2024, Nelson Suter Art Society, Nelson

• Autumn Exhibition 2025, Nelson Suter Art Society

• Peace Now: May- June 2025 - International group exhibition Artquake-15 Niğde Art Gallery, Cappadocia Turkey

• Power of Colour - 30 June- 20 July 2025 - McKee Gallery, Suter Art Gallery Nelson

• Spring Exhibition: 15 October- 2nd November 2025, Nelson Suter Art Society

• Biophilia: the human - nature bond, Head on Photo Festival- open program exhibitor- 10/30 November 2025 Neruda’s Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia

A woman with curly red hair and a sleeveless gray top holds a reflective mirror, looking at her reflection, in a lush green outdoor setting.

Art Galleries & memberships:

• Nelson Suter Art Society

• Wall to Wall Gallery (where you can find my Fine Art Prints )

Documentary work 2008-2023
Collage of seven black and white photographs of abandoned buildings, including windows, staircases, graffiti, and a toy doll displayed among miscellaneous objects.

Kat Beyle studied advertising for 3 years at the Universidad del Mar in Chile, where she discovered photography through an art history course. It was at that moment when everything made sense and she decided to change her career path, subsequently pursuing documentary photography at the Incacea Institute in Santiago. Since her graduation in 2009 she has undertaken various works and personal projects, which you can discover in this page.

Abandoned Treasures 2008

Beginnings in documentary photography. I have always been fascinated by other cultures, the unknown, and nature. My initial records showcase images of abandoned places in Valparaíso.

Three images. The first shows two women behind a chain-link fence, one with hands on her head, in front of colorful tents. The second features a young woman with long hair holding a puppy, standing in a red-lit indoor space. The third depicts a woman with a headscarf inside a vibrant, decorated tent, adjusting a floral fabric draped over a bed.

Opre Gitanos 2010

This is the name of a project I carried out for my final exam at Incacea. I worked with local gypsies for a year. The idea was to showcase their culture, the striking colors of their tents, attire, and to capture the essence of their daily life. Their culture is very fascinating, and I've always felt an affinity for nomadic lifestyles and the sense of detachment, even though I hadn't traveled alone until that point. But I recall that my first journey came shortly afterward to Chaitén, where "Señora María," my gypsy protector, inspired me to travel.

Black and white collage of six portrait photographs featuring diverse individuals, including elderly, middle-aged, and young Native women and children, some in traditional attire, in outdoor settings.
A collage of five photographs depicting scenes of children playing and working outdoors, and a man standing in a lush green jungle.

Kamak Maki, Ecuador 2015

I had the privilege of spending a period with this community led by "Don Alonso" (color photo), who safeguards the Quechua culture from the encroachment of illegal gold mining. He and his wife protect vast stretches of land and strive to preserve their culture for future generations. The elders in the community don't speak Spanish, only Quechua, and they don't even know their own ages. It's a community I would love to return to and assist with more resources.

A collage of eight photographs depicting various people and cultural scenes. The top row shows close-up portraits of elderly women with expressive faces. The second row features a man fishing on a beach and a young girl with a woman in the background, also on the beach. The third row has images of a traditional temple or pagoda and an elderly woman working at night with lantern light. The bottom row displays a gold Buddha statue, a red and white lantern, and a paper lantern shaped like a house, all representing cultural and religious elements.

Vietnam 2019

This was the final journey I embarked upon before the pandemic. In fact, I returned to New Zealand in February, and by March, the borders had closed. I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to experience this breathtaking culture, with landscapes and temples that leave you speechless, much like the faces of its people. I could sense the pain that the country carries (especially the elderly, who lived through the times of war).

Group of people participating in community service or a cleanup event outdoors, some working with shovels, others gathered around, children and adults involved, with a mix of activities including planting, collecting items, and socializing.

Matariki and Hangi Preparation 2023

The Māori cultural tradition of Matariki, also known as the Māori New Year, holds a significant place in the hearts and calendars of New Zealanders. Matariki marks the rising of the Pleiades star cluster and signifies a time of reflection, renewal, and connection with both the land and the heavens. During this celebration, communities come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.

One of the most cherished aspects of the Matariki celebration is the preparation and sharing of a traditional Māori feast known as "hangi." The hangi is a cooking method that involves preparing and cooking an assortment of foods beneath the earth, using the natural heat generated by heated stones buried in a pit. This ancient method not only imparts a unique flavor to the food but also symbolizes the deep connection between the Māori people and the land they inhabit.

Projects & Exhibitions

Commissioned Work