Toby Grant, known professionally as Cato, was born in Brighton in 1999 and is currently based in London. A multidisciplinary artist and musician, Cato’s large-scale works are distinguished by their candid portrayals of Black elders, often depicted in domestic and communal settings such as barbershops and domino games. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of references, media, and materials, his paintings centre on “uncle-like” figures engaged in cultural exchanges that resonate across the Black diaspora. His practice is grounded in a physical process that emphasises both the layering and erasure of images, creating a dynamic interplay between presence and absence. Cato’s work invites viewers into intimate spaces, encouraging a reimagining of Black identity and community through a contemporary lens.

Recent solo exhibitions include Another Life at Cooke Latham Gallery, London (2024); Love Song at Eric Firestone Gallery, New York (2024); All Those Nickel Wishes Cast as Spells at Sim Smith, London (2025); and This Time Around at Harlesden High Street, London (2025). Group exhibitions include Once Upon a Time in London at Saatchi Yates, London (2025).