Cato Discusses Raymond Carver's Influence on His Painting Practice in AnOther Magazine
In the Autumn/Winter 2026 edition of AnOther Magazine, British artist Cato expresses that the short stories of Raymond Carver significantly shape his artistic vision. He explores Carver's narratives, including unpublished manuscripts, favoring those with ambiguous conclusions. Cato points to "Why Don't You Dance?" (1978) and acknowledges the impact of editor Gordon Lish in crafting enchanting tales through minimalistic prose. His intricate paintings merge realism with abstraction, showcasing oversized figures set in recognizable environments. Drawing inspiration from Malick Sidibé, Romare Bearden, and Hannah Höch, Cato's approach is characterized as both cinematic and inviting. This special issue celebrates 25 years of AnOther Magazine and is currently available worldwide.
Key facts
- Cato is a British artist and musician whose practice centres on the energy of street life and tapping into the collective.
- He has been revisiting most of Raymond Carver's work, including unedited manuscripts.
- Carver's short story Why Don't You Dance? was first published in 1978.
- Cato said editor Gordon Lish is responsible for some of the magic in Carver's stories because they leave room for imagination.
- In the unedited version of Why Don't You Dance?, Carver tells you a bit too much, while the edited version is so sparse it makes you trust your instincts.
- Cato's layered paintings use saturated colours and rich, metallic blacks, blurring realism and abstraction.
- His figures are sourced from found images and photographs taken of strangers cast from the street.
- The feature appears in the Autumn/Winter 2026 issue of AnOther Magazine, marking 25 years of the publication, on sale internationally now.
Entities
Artists
- Cato
- Raymond Carver
- Gordon Lish
- Malick Sidibé
- Romare Bearden
- Hannah Höch
Institutions
- AnOther Magazine