Juxtapoz Magazine - Cato's Last Weekend @ Saatchi Yates, London

"Saatchi Yates is delighted to announce a solo exhibition by the emerging multidisciplinary artist Toby Grant, also known as Cato (b. 1999, Brighton). This exhibition presents a body of work that focuses on the Black community within his South London orbit, capturing domestic and communal life in barbershops, diners, and home interiors. The subject matter features figures in everyday settings - playing instruments, making art, and sharing food - inviting viewers into intimate spaces where history, culture, and memory come together."

"Cato invites people from his community into his studio to sit for him and be photographed. He uses streetcasters in Peckham to scout people whose images serve as the foundation for his paintings. He cuts, collages, and layers these photographs, reminiscent of Henri Matisse's cut-out techniques, creating a dynamic rhythm in the works while also capturing expression, gesture, and a strong sense of community. His compositions often exaggerate hands and heads, emphasizing gesture and emotion, while his distinctive use of vibrant colour animates each scene."

The exhibition focuses on the Black community within Cato's South London orbit, capturing domestic and communal life in barbershops, diners, and home interiors. Figures appear in everyday settings—playing instruments, making art, and sharing food—inviting viewers into intimate spaces where history, culture, and memory converge. Cato invites people from his community into his studio to sit for him and be photographed and uses streetcasters in Peckham to scout subjects. He cuts, collages, and layers these photographs in a manner reminiscent of Matisse's cut-outs, generating dynamic rhythm while emphasizing expression, gesture, and community. Compositions often exaggerate hands and heads and employ vibrant colour. The series includes portraits of London figures Jadasea and Jenn Nkiru and increased narrative detail, such as a studio scene referencing Cubism and a canvas signed 'Cato '25'.

Read at Juxtapoz