Catman is an urban street artist known for his stencil-based works that blend realism with social commentary. His art often features powerful imagery, including figures from popular culture, iconic celebrities, and thought-provoking scenes that address contemporary issues like inequality, freedom, and human rights. Catman’s style is often compared to other notable street artists like Banksy, as he also incorporates dark humour and irony into his pieces. His use of monochromatic colours, detailed shading, and precise lines adds a sense of depth and realism to his stencil art.

While his true identity remains a mystery, Catman’s work is widely recognised in the UK and internationally. His pieces can be found on walls and buildings in major cities, adding to the dialogue about art in public spaces.

Catman’s work is deeply rooted in his admiration for chiaroscuro, a technique mastered by artists like Rembrandt in his self-portraits. Chiaroscuro, the dramatic interplay between light and shadow, is a hallmark of Rembrandt’s work and has influenced Catman’s approach to creating depth and intensity in his stencil-based art. This technique allows Catman to give his monochromatic pieces a sense of realism and emotional resonance, much like the way Rembrandt used light to emphasise the inner character of his subjects.

Catman’s love for chiaroscuro adds a classical touch to his modern, urban canvases, blending old-world artistry with contemporary themes. His ability to manipulate light and shadow gives his work a photographic quality, inviting viewers to see familiar cultural icons or everyday scenes in a new, thought-provoking light. By drawing from Rembrandt’s mastery of this technique, Catman elevates his street art from simple stencil work to pieces that evoke a timeless sense of drama and mood, bridging the gap between classical and modern artistic traditions.