Though not directly inspired by the recent fires in Los Angeles, this painting inevitably calls them to mind—a reality Kate knows well from South Africa, where high fire risk threatens communities living so close to nature. Homes are often lost, often because people choose to settle in close proximity to the natural world while failing to take proactive measures. With climate change always in the back of her mind, her work conveys a growing sense of disconnection from nature—of being at its mercy rather than in harmony with it.

This contradiction—the allure of leisure set against the hidden costs of creating an artificial paradise—runs throughout her work. Middle-class affluence, often associated with carefree indulgence, carries an undercurrent of recklessness, boredom, and consequence. There is a subtle critique at play, reminiscent of the dark satire in Saltburn, which lampoons wealth and excess. In some of her paintings, this satirical edge becomes more overt, exposing the tensions between privilege and the instability lurking beneath it.

We see a male figure staring at a female body, his gaze charged with implication—a predatory moment frozen in time. This unsettling dynamic reflects broader issues of gender politics and the male gaze, themes Kate frequently explores in her work. She enjoys working within these, confronting the uncomfortable power dynamics embedded in everyday imagery. Interestingly, the male figure is based on a photograph of her husband in the pool, adding a personal dimension to the work.