About

What does it mean to be an Alpha Female in 2025?

Artist Cat. A invites audiences into her loud, funny, and deeply personal world with Alpha Females — a bold new free exhibition opening this September at Art Space Portsmouth.

The exhibition showcases Cat's text-based artworks created over the last two years — a mash-up of hand-painted slogans, overheard conversations, and private feelings blasted onto public objects. Whether it's a cardboard pyramid critiquing Reform UK while celebrating Shania Twain, or a flag confronting an ex's racist family members, Cat's work is deeply personal, sharply political, and disarmingly funny.

Using discarded materials, charity shop finds, and whatever's hiding in someone's cupboard, Cat transforms everyday objects into protest banners, t-shirts, and emotional outbursts. Her pieces are painted in a distinct freeform capital-letter style using acrylics and Posca pens — raw, urgent, and unmistakably her own.

Highlights include:

• "Reasons Not to Call Him" — an artist's book of illustrated dating reflections, shown alongside 24 prints from its pages
• Personal banners like "Hannah Smith Is My Religion"
• Rants in paint about ex-boyfriends, the fear of scented candles, and Jacob Rees-Mogg
• Bunting and flags reimagined as miniature protest sites

While often humorous, the work digs deeper — exploring modern dating, identity, social justice, and the fine line between public performance and private catharsis. "My work is my therapy," Cat says, "but I hope people laugh. Or at least feel seen."

Join Art Space Portsmouth for a no-filter artist's talk on Sunday 7 September, where Cat A will speak about her process, personal inspirations, and the sometimes absurd relationship between art, activism, and exes.

Dates and times:
Opening night: Friday 5 September, 5–9pm
Exhibition runs: 6–21 September, Wednesdays to Sundays, 12–4pm
Artist talk: Sunday 7 September, 2–4pm