Inspired by the supernatural, as most things are in October, Paxton + Glew in Brighton presents Cats, Bats + Tats. Running from 29th September until 31st October, Cats, Bats, and Tats in Brighton is an exhibition full of character and colour that will make you want to get your hands on a number of the portraits, ceramics, collages, and miniatures on display.
Located in The Lanes on Hannington Lane, Paxton + Glew was created by curatorial duo Emily Paxton and Pam Glew, who are artists in their own right. They began this venture with the aim of curating immersive exhibitions by new and aspiring artists who are part of the art world. Cats, Bats, and Tats is an example of just that.
Stepping in on a rainy October day, the space is teaming with colour, and amongst the art on display tiny Halloween bats decorated the walls filled with some of the best portraits of cats seen. Taking centre stage was Natalia Shaloshvili’s collection of cat portraits. Utilising acrylic and oil on canvas, Shaloshvili’s charming depictions of our feline companions possess an off-kilter sense to them, making them all the more entertaining and interesting.
Depicted in various forms, from drinking a morning drink to simply staring blankly back at the viewer they possess a uniquely human quality, making them feel almost straight out of a Wes Anderson film. In her first collaboration with Paxton + Glew, Shaloshvili’s creatures are described as “trying to live their everyday life while coping with intense stress, joy, anxiety, a feeling of uncertainty, procrastination of just feeling lost in a big city” and somehow Shaloshvili captures all this emotion and more in her canvas’.
Examining the space, it’s recommended to do a couple of laps so as to not miss anything, with so much on view, there’s always more to see here. Hidden on one of the shelves in the studio sit a couple of intricately carved, framed miniatures. Created by artist Mia Underwood, these miniatures are incredibly delicate and romantic.
Another stand-out piece of this Brighton-based exhibition, with every ounce of detail heightened due to their miniature size. Framed in wood from an antique Indian shrine, these miniatures depict a brightly painted cat set in front of a colourful backdrop of flowers and insects, their small size intensifies every minute detail and gives the impression that the viewer is peering into another world that’s normally inaccessible.
As well as Shaloshvili and Underwood, Paxton + Glew showcases the work of Ben Allen, David Bray, Lucy Corke, LittlePapa Dollhouse, Tinsel Edwards, Lee Eelus, Lena Goodison, Cassette Lord, The Postman, Liz Pounsett, Rugman and Tinny which is also on display and available to purchase.
Charming, evocative and warm, Cats Bats + Tats is an eclectic display of colour and form that will leave you stuck for choice when deciding which you’d like to take home. Bursting with colour, half of the marvel is the ability of the curators to fit everything into the space making the experience feel more intimate than most galleries and serving to only allow the pieces to further excel. So if you’re looking for something to do in Brighton, make sure to visit Paxton + Glew to see this amazing exhibition before it ends!
Where: 12 Hanningtons Ln, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1GS
Find out more: https://www.paxtonglew.com/
