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Cat Spilman’s expressive and spontaneous works address themes of separation, belonging, modern feminism and motherhood.
Cat Spilman is a contemporary abstract artist, born in New York. Spilman works primarily with house paint, which was a natural choice for her. Having come from a career as a Scenic Artist for film and television, she had worked with it for years. The thick paint creates beautiful textures and adds depths to her work, while the brushstrokes produce unique patterns within themselves.
Spilman made a conscious decision to limit her colour palette, finding two tones which worked together well. By doing so, the artist allows the true focus of the work to be in the composition and energy. She also explains that she never pre-plans her works, rather they are fluid and natural, pouring out of her onto the canvas.
The raw and cathartic creative process allows Spilman to discover a lot about herself both, as a person and an artist. Each works helps to understand her emotions and feeling better, becoming an exceptional result of self-exploration; an abstract self-portrait.
Learning from her young daughter and the unabashed freedoms children possess, Cat Spilman is interested in creating works that consist of pure creativity and energy, beyond self-criticism. Casting aside what is expected of her as an artist, she follows the natural energy of each piece to create something completely unique.
Her latest exhibition title, Yes, And Other Things refers to the responses and reactions Spilman receives through discussion about her works when the viewer attempts to justify the abstract patterns. In contrast to the perceptions of the audience, compelled with desire to categorise and label, Spilman attempts to move away from these categories into something purely emotional and expressive. These large-scale canvases, specifically incorporated in the artist’s latest series, have given her to opportunity to throw herself into the bold abstract movements, creating and enjoying the process it provides. She asks the viewer to consume the created work similarly – through emotional comprehension, in the moment.
Cat Spilman was born in New York, USA and received a BFA with honours from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. After working for eight years as a Scenic Artist for film and television in her hometown, she decided to move to England, where she settled to live and work as an artist in her studio in York.
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Works
Editions
Exhibitions-
Make It Blue
Cat Spilman 8 - 23 Nov 2024This new direction mirrors personal changes in Spilman’s life over the past year, including a move to a new city and studio. Embracing this period of transition, she sought to...Read more -
Divergence: Exploring Monochromatic Abstraction
Cat Spilman, Carsten Beck, and Beñat 8 - 30 Mar 2024The exhibition aims to delve into the psychological nuances of black and white, emphasising the divergence of emotions, perceptions, and perspectives within this seemingly simple colour palette. The choice of...Read more -
Origins
Group Exhibition 1 Dec 2023 - 27 Jan 2024Paper is often the first medium an artist uses when developing their creative process or planning a larger scale piece. It is the works Origin, a sketch or scribble which...Read more -
Cravings
Cat Spilman 13 - 30 Sep 2023‘Cravings’ will open at the brand-new RHODES gallery space, 65 Great Portland Street, on Tuesday 12th of September, 6-8pm. The exhibition will continue until the 30th of September 2023. ‘Cravings’...Read more -
Yes, And Other Things
Cat Spilman 21 Oct - 19 Nov 2022Rhodes Contemporary Art is delighted to announce the debut solo exhibition ‘Yes, And Other Things’ by US contemporary abstract painter, Cat Spilman. This new series of works continue in Spilman’s...Read more
News-
Cat Spilman in Piece With Artist Magazine
Cat Spilman’s work has been featured in the ‘Piece With Artist’ magazine N.03! February 14, 2024'I see my paintings as portraits. They’re monochrome, abstract pieces and most of them aren’t obviously figurative, but from my perspective they’re all portraits.' In...Read more -
RHODES Editions at Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair
October 19, 2023RHODES Editions will be showcasing at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair (WCPF) 26th -29th October 2023. Woolwich Works, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London...Read more -
A detailed look at: 'I Serve... And I Ski Too' by Cat Spilman
September 20, 2023Tuesday last week saw the opening of ‘Cravings ’, the highly anticipated second solo show by a contemporary abstract artist Cat Spilman. In this new...Read more -
Exploring Minimalism
The power of the limited colour palette in contemporary abstract art July 11, 2023RHODES represents numerous artists who express their creativity though vibrant palettes and experimental colour combinations. However, some artists work in completely the opposite direction, creating...Read more -
Cat Spilman X EXIT Magazine
March 7, 2023Cat Spilman has been selected for EXIT Magazine cover and feature! We are delighted announce the cover feature with RHODES artist Cat Spilman for the...Read more
Press