Catbee 2020

This “Catbee” painting— made by Camilla d’Errico in the 20th century—it’s a real trip. The cat-bee hybrid is painted with an almost manicured touch, yet it retains a real sense of fluidity, as if this critter could actually take off. It’s the colour that really gets me going in this painting, the thick paint gives it a sort of fuzziness that makes you just want to reach out and touch the little fella. D’Errico’s marks are laid down with so much consideration for the colour that they almost come together to form this furry quality. The colours are vibrant, yet soft, a real treat. Look at the big glass-like eye, reflecting everything and nothing, what is that?!! I keep thinking about the work of Yayoi Kusama, in that both artists find an almost ecstatic joy in the strange combination of the human and the animal form, that's just amazing.