The Softest Recognition was inspired by Sparta, a rescued street cat who once placed himself between me and danger. Discover the true story behind the painting and its exploration of trust, protection and the extraordinary bonds we form with animals.

In 2017, I began feeding a stray Arabian Mau cat outside my home in the Middle East. I named him Sparta after the film 300 because he guarded my doorway like a warrior. One day, when a vicious dog lunged towards me, Sparta stepped in front of me and faced the dog himself. By the time I returned to England in 2020, I already knew I could never leave him behind.