Artist, Cat Yenn’s Bright & Beautiful Studio Apartment

Patience and precision is what underpins artist & designer, Cat Yenn’s body of work. Her geometric pieces deliberately avoid any digital assistance, instead Cat conceptualises and paints every work by hand. Like her creations, the artist’s Rosebery apartment in Sydney’s south is a playful experiment in colour, pattern & space. It’s here we meet the artist (and rescue chihuahua, Wonton) to chat about her debut solo show, Double Bounce - currently exhibiting at Rainbow Studios - and hear more about her process, prized possessions, and sacred weekend rituals.

“I’ve lived in this studio for almost 2 years with my dog Wonton. I create my work out of it. It’s got timber floors and warm white walls. It’s west facing so gets the most glorious afternoon sun. I enjoy its coziness. Being able to live and paint in the same space is the best - it makes me feel really comfortable, which in turn helps the flow of creativity.”

“My bedroom is simple and small. Although there’s no door, it’s still a contained space that gives me reprieve from the day. I have a large mirror leaning against a wall, two bedsides and a stool.

“My bedside lamps are two light prototypes that I’m making with a friend and ceramic test pieces I’ve made that hold jewellery. I’ve made use of the walls to bring height, where I’ve hung prints, artworks and objects. There is a Magritte print (he’s my favourite artist), small paper works made by friends, my partner’s photographic print from a local artist and a clock designed from where I work. I love the variation in scale of all these frames as it gives the room character.”

Every morning when I wake up and every night before sleep, I can see my work in progress.

“My favourite thing is the view of my canvas stand from bed. Every morning when I wake up and every night before sleep, I can see my work in progress. I find it really motivating.”

Cat's cosy bed, with an outlook of her creations, is layered with our 100% Linen Bedding in Dove Grey, Cocoa & Mist

“I try to surround myself with meaningful objects that remind me of my loved ones. I paint on these custom oak stands handmade by a dear friend, my favourite brushes are hand-me-downs from another dear friend.

“I also have sculptures or prototypes I’ve worked on with friends. I’m not a hoarder (that’s what a hoarder would say) but I can’t help but collect objects that connect me to a memory. My close friend made me a beautiful cast bronze ladle holder which I use to help me open sticky paint jars. I hit it against the lid to loosen it. It’s such a boujee way to do something so primal and it makes me chuckle every time.”

“I remember purchasing my vintage Componibili bedsides by Anna Castelli Ferrieri. They were second hand from a collector who had the most eclectic house full of original iconic furniture pieces. Most of my furniture is from Design By Them sample sales (where I work as Head of Brand) and any artwork in the house are gifts done by friends or experiments I’ve painted which I thought would be nice framed.”

“I’ve always loved art and focused on it heavily during school. I was lucky to grow up with an artist/musician father and a meticulous mother who always encouraged my imagination. When I got to university, I decided to explore design and graduated from UNSW’s College of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Design. Working in this field taught me about form and function and has exposed me to so many inspiring materials, colours and textures.

“I started my art practice in 2020. I got COVID at the very start - before anyone knew much about it - and was kept inside for a long time. I was then living alone in a different studio apartment and decided it was a good time to pick up painting again. This experience really emphasised my appreciation of ‘bed’. There was no separation in the space, so my bed was always a point of solace, an island that gave me breathing room from the art supplies strewn all over the studio.

“I then started selling my artworks independently on my website. After a few sold out series’ online, some great commissions and a trade fair group show, I decided I needed to have a solo exhibition — resulting in my latest ‘Double Bounce’ show at Rainbow Studios.”

My bed was always a point of solace, an island that gave me breathing room from the art supplies strewn all over the studio.

Cat's bed is made with a combination of our 100% Linen Bedding in Dove Grey, Cocoa & Mist

“I’ve just completed my first solo show, ‘Double Bounce’, at Rainbow Studios in Darlinghurst. I thought I’d need a break but I’m feeling really inspired. I’m currently experimenting with dry brush techniques and gradients. I want to explore other ways of creating definition without using sharp clean lines like my previous work.”

“Travel is inspiring me at the moment. I am drawn to the quiet ways people interact with each other, particularly how shared feelings and thoughts can be expressed so differently in different languages. Visiting foreign countries and talking to locals, I’m observing the different ways people enjoy the surroundings and company that they are in.”

“I’ll be doing a lot of travelling this year and I can’t wait to discover new cultures, art, design, interiors and landscapes.”

“Rosebery has a really casual feel to it. It’s calm but still bright, quaint yet still easy to get to the city and beaches. I love having so many great food options all in walking distance. One of my favourite things to do on the weekend is to go get a late brunch (not lunch) and do the Good Weekend quiz with my partner.”

Cat's local recommendations…

TAY Rosebery for their Thai style rotisserie chicken and chips

Bourke St Bakery for their sausage rolls and orange juice

The Dose for their halloumi breakfast burrito

Sushi train for the aburi scallops

Incu Outlet for modest retail therapy