Art in its myriad forms, exerts a profound effect, interconnecting across diverse realms. While many gravitate towards singular artistic expressions, London-based visual and musical artist Toby Grant, better known as Cato, opts for a distinctive path. Indeed, one might contend that Cato does not choose to be this way. He takes inspiration from his musical idol, American Disc Jockey, and fellow multipotentialite - Madlib. Madlib, born Otis Jackson Jr. is many things from a music producer to a multi-instrumentalist and rapper. Cato creates within the understanding that combination and synergy are some of the most powerful intangibles an artist of absolutely any discipline should possess. This philosophy informs his music creation process and inexorably extends to his fine art.
Cato Smokestack, 2024. Acrylic on canvas 150 x 240cm. Photography: Mischa Haller.
Marking Cato’s UK debut, the exhibition commenced on March 7th and runs till the 28th of March, featuring a series of larger-than-life portraits, deftly merging collage, acrylics, and airbrush techniques. His unorthodox and local approach to exploring the self-conscious act of ‘sitting’ while playfully interrogating the formulas of traditional portraiture culminates in a deeply symbolic exhibition.
Installation views. Photography: Mischa Haller.
The exhibition borrows its title from the Jamaican slang ‘Seen!’, referencing not only the act of seeing but means 'to be understood', pointing to a shared relationship of understanding and recognition between the artist and his subject. It encapsulates the essence of recognizing and valorizing identity, particularly when such identity is typically underappreciated and has historically been marginalized. Cato recognizes artistic luminaries like Kerry James Marshall, Romare Bearden, and Basquiat as inspirations, as well as filmmakers such as Lotte Reiniger and Ralph Bakishi. Cato’s paintings are typically filled with life and implied movement, possessing the strong energy of animation stills, rendering them captivating to behold.
Cato Butter, 2024. Acrylic on canvas 150 x 120cm. Photography: Ben Deakin.
Cato’s partnership with Cooke Latham for Seen! is full of potential, as the gallery is notable for the scope and ambition of its program, acting as an incubator for emerging artistic talent, and working in tandem with artists to organize bold, site-specific installations in which they can fully realize the full extent of the concepts their works engender and maximize their potential.
Art in its myriad forms, exerts a profound effect, interconnecting across diverse realms. While many gravitate towards singular artistic expressions, London-based visual and musical artist Toby Grant, better known as Cato, opts for a distinctive path. Indeed, one might contend that Cato does not choose to be this way. He takes inspiration from his musical idol, American Disc Jockey, and fellow multipotentialite - Madlib. Madlib, born Otis Jackson Jr. is many things from a music producer to a multi-instrumentalist and rapper. Cato creates within the understanding that combination and synergy are some of the most powerful intangibles an artist of absolutely any discipline should possess. This philosophy informs his music creation process and inexorably extends to his fine art.
Cato Smokestack, 2024. Acrylic on canvas 150 x 240cm. Photography: Mischa Haller.
Marking Cato’s UK debut, the exhibition commenced on March 7th and runs till the 28th of March, featuring a series of larger-than-life portraits, deftly merging collage, acrylics, and airbrush techniques. His unorthodox and local approach to exploring the self-conscious act of ‘sitting’ while playfully interrogating the formulas of traditional portraiture culminates in a deeply symbolic exhibition.
Installation views. Photography: Mischa Haller.
The exhibition borrows its title from the Jamaican slang ‘Seen!’, referencing not only the act of seeing but means 'to be understood', pointing to a shared relationship of understanding and recognition between the artist and his subject. It encapsulates the essence of recognizing and valorizing identity, particularly when such identity is typically underappreciated and has historically been marginalized. Cato recognizes artistic luminaries like Kerry James Marshall, Romare Bearden, and Basquiat as inspirations, as well as filmmakers such as Lotte Reiniger and Ralph Bakishi. Cato’s paintings are typically filled with life and implied movement, possessing the strong energy of animation stills, rendering them captivating to behold.
Cato Butter, 2024. Acrylic on canvas 150 x 120cm. Photography: Ben Deakin.
Cato’s partnership with Cooke Latham for Seen! is full of potential, as the gallery is notable for the scope and ambition of its program, acting as an incubator for emerging artistic talent, and working in tandem with artists to organize bold, site-specific installations in which they can fully realize the full extent of the concepts their works engender and maximize their potential.
