Notes from Kat Vandal
"Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been drawn to the idea of taking something old and giving it a new life.
With everyday packaging I’d make art, props for pretend play, dresses for my barbies, the possibilities were end- less.
Transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary with rubbish, some imagination and my hands felt like a superpower.
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Beyond the sustainable aspect of my art, reusing what’s already out there, my purpose as an artist is to bring a smile to people’s faces.
Therefore, with each piece I hope to:
Provoke a dopamine rush with uplifting symbols such as bright colours, glitters, smileys, flowers, balloons or toys.
Trigger deeper feelings through happy memories as you observe in detail, perhaps bringing back a lovely anecdote about your childhood or that of your child.
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​Because, although I don’t think happiness is contagious; a smile, a laugh, a positive attitude can be infectious and I believe that if you stare long enough at a colourful piece of art, “smiling atyou”,remindingyouofhappytimes,yourmoodwillliftalittle. This is why I call it Happy Art.
Inspiration
The idea of upcycling childhood favourites started when I found myself struggling to part with my son’s outgrown clothes, toys and drawings. So instead, I found joy in repurposing them into colourful works of art, celebrating precious memories of his childhood while revisiting mine. Therefore, my work combines my passion for upcycling with the idea of holding on to precious memories, preserving them in a way that sparks joy.
As for my aesthetics, My creations are a blend of Pop Art inspired by the 80’s and 90’s (a period I grew up in) and Street Art, inspired by London (where I have lived most of my adult life).​
I’ve always been drawn to colours and geometrical shapes, as well as the contradictions between vibrant colours and black (in art and fashion), sequences and organic explosions.
It’s always been a good reflection of who I am, always playing ping pong between my left and right brain.
Artists like Vasarely, Kandinsky, Delaunay, Picasso, and Keith Haring inspire me — art that feels playful, bright, and driven by creativity rather than just technical mastery.
But a lot of my inspiration also comes from urban scenes: architecture, street art, and watching people moving through urban spaces."
In their words...
"Kat Vandal wants to "transfer positivity" with her Happy Art which is all about upcycling nostalgia and uplifting others. She's realised that the toys of her childhood and those from her son's early years inspire smiles and optimism by bringing back good memories. Kat believes that for most of us there was joyful escape through imaginative playing with toys."
DANIEL SITWELL, journalist
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"Kat Vandal blends joyful rebellion with coded nostalgia, turning lived experience into a high-impact visual language. Her work moves with rhythm, attitude, and depth — a convergence of street sensibility and gallery power. She codes culture, not just comments on it.
Her fluency in pop iconography transforms familiar visuals into new symbols of identity and play. Her palette carries instant emotional weight. She's anti-hype but hyper-strategic, aligned with communities and collectors who value intention over trends. Her style is unique, defensible, and deeply resonant."
SIMON WILLIAMS, collector
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