bold, funny, relatable, text based art by cat. a
Cat. A is an artist based in Portsmouth whose work blends humour, protest, and personal experience.
Using text as her primary medium, she creates bold and satirical social commentary across painting, embroidery, found objects, and posters.
Her practice tackles everything from capitalism and social hierarchy to the beauty industry and failed relationships - always with a sharp eye and a playful touch. Her work is direct, disarmingly funny, and rooted in the everyday.
CV
EDUCATION
2014 – 2017 BA Fine Art and Art History, Plymouth University
2014 – 2015 Art and Design Foundation Diploma, Havant College
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 Alpha Females | Art Space Portsmouth | Sept 6-21
2023 Stroppy Objects | Winchester School of Art Library | Sept 1–Oct 5
2022 Halloween 1913 – 2022 | Kings Theatre | October 1-31
2021 The Dazzled Beauty Booth | BT Phone Kiosk, Boscombe | July 23-30
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026
Pose 100 | Storehouse 9, Portsmouth | April 4-12
Newhaven Open Call | Marine Workshops | March 12-29
Magnolia Dreams | Tower House, Southampton | Feb 13
2025
POSE Portsmouth | The Pay Office | October 24-26
Bad Art Presents: Fandom | London Art Services Gallery | Sept 4-14
Art BBQ | 44AD Art Space, Bath | July 22-27
Open Studios | Art Space Portsmouth | July 5-6
Love Reclaimed | Pride Portsmouth~The Corner Collective | May 16-18
Artivist | Gallery Grounds | June 6-20
2024
This Homeland | London Hospitals~Responsa Foundation | September 11 - ongoing
Open Studios | Art Space Portsmouth | June 29-30
Transformation | University of Southampton | June 23–Sept 20
2023
Autumn Open Call | Imagination Refinery | October 28–November 28
Punchcard | The Auxiliary | August 1–31
2022
Draw me a Tree | Coastguard Studios | July 22-28
Flower Power | Yellow Edge Gallery | April 6-30
Inspirational Women Artists | A Space Arts | February 25-March 6
2021
VOGUE III | Boomer Gallery | October 8-14
Aura | The Holy Art | October 1-8
2018
Postcards From My Neighbourhood | Aspex Gallery | February 10-28
2017
Hot 17 Degree Show | Plymouth University | June 10-16
PROJECTS & EXPERIENCE
2026 House of Racquet | Commissioned Project | Opening April
2024 POSE Portsmouth | Open Studios Event | October 25-27
2023 Look Up Portsmouth | Street Art Festival | September 2-3
2020 Design Havens for Heroes | Supplier
GROUPS
2024 - Present Offsite Member | Art Space Portsmouth
WRITING
2022 British Pop Art: Who Was Pauline Boty? | The Collector
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work has evolved into being primarily text based - almost always in my own all caps handwriting - painting onto banners, an ex-library book, flags, t-shirts, or anything shiny. The statements I make in my work range from being incredibly personal and raw, to funny things I overhear.
I often start new work by looking through my ongoing archive of things I’ve overheard. Sometimes a stream of prose will come from my own mind, like a diary. Making art about my personal life will always be cathartic - sometimes I just need to get it out of me. I love it when I show my work and my stories inspire other people to share their experiences.
The humour in my work allows me to disarm, to cut through taboo, uncomfortable, or dark subjects and make them more readable, acceptable, and challenges perceptions. My work is very direct, and I enjoy the fact most people can’t help but respond to it.
I have used found objects such as a plastic skeleton, underwear, a disco ball, if I feel it contributes to an impactful message. There is a lean towards the domestic or stereotypically “feminine” in my use of materials, such as pillowcases, safety pins, jewellery, table mats and doilies – as so much of my work hinges on the female perspective, perhaps I am subconsciously drawn to these items.
press
The What's Going On Show - Brought to you by POOW Media and presented by Alec Chapman. Our aim is to create a platform for our guests and what they do.
The artist not giving a F*ck - Who is Cat Askew - July 2025
This week for Episode 58 of The What's Going On Show we have Cat Askew, a text-based artist currently in Portsmouth, pushing the boundaries with her art in a humorous way. Cat expresses herself through her artwork by talking about her past relationships, political views and her personal experiences, Cat's Text-based art is hilarious as she doesn't hold back through fear. Her bold approach and stance to being out spoken through is inspirational, and funny, as she expresses what many of us think but wouldn't dare to say. In this episode we talk about expression through art, not compromising on your values, being bold, text-based art as an art form and toxic people. (This episode contains explicit language and themes)
say hi!
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I’ll be in touch asap! Alternatively, drop me a line at caskew47@hotmail.com