The Colourful Aesthetics of Representation: Cato and the Visual Archive of South London at Saatchi Yates

While wandering among the art galleries in London’s St. James’s district, we focus on one of the most striking figurative exhibitions of recent times, with only one week left until it closes. Saatchi Yates is hosting the first solo show of the young, multidisciplinary artist Toby Grant—known in the art world as Cato—born in 2000.

Cato centres the local texture of South London—barber shops, food halls, and home interiors—recording the everyday life of the Black community with an almost sacred grandeur.

A Methodological Approach: From Photography to Collage, Collage to Canvas

Cato’s production practice is not merely an act of painting but also a sociological field study. The artist selects models through streetcasting on Peckham’s streets and invites them to the studio for photography.

These photographs are cut, fragmented, and layered in the artist’s hands, reconfigured anew. This methodology, reminiscent of Henri Matisse’s iconic cut-out technique, imparts a dynamic form to the works while presenting the figures’ gestures, expressions, and sense of community with unique depth.

Visual Language: Exaggerated Limbs and Warholian Light

The most prominent feature in Cato’s compositions is the deliberate exaggeration of hands and heads. This anatomical deformation strengthens the figure’s emotional expression and presence in space.

Vibrant Colour Usage: The lively palette animating the scenes reflects not only the characters’ physical presence but also their inner energies.

The Politics of Light: The artist’s “Warholian” attention to the figures bestows a “star status” on Black life, rarely rendered so brightly and visibly in contemporary painting.

Narrative Details: Picasso books, Cubism references, and studio inventories in the works document the artist’s dialogue with his own artistic heritage.

Diasporic Memory and Fictional Family Histories

Cato blends studio portraits with old family photographs and found images, forging a connection across time. This approach positions the artist not only as an observer but also as a constructor of diasporic memory. The fact that Cato is also a musician (a member of the band Parade) explains the source of the rhythmic and collective energy permeating the exhibition.

“I’m building worlds I could live in. I try to talk to my heroes… I want to be someone that kids like me can look up to.” – Cato

This exhibition at Saatchi Yates, open until 14 January, offers an experience on the St. James’s route that leaves a mark with its sincerity and technical boldness.