ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Statement

My work is crafting a postcapitalist world that blends reality with digital spaces. I experiment with the concept of furry interwoven with my own inner child to express my identity as a transgender person. I use the imagery relating to the “sparkleanimal”, or “fursona”, to represent myself and queer people around me in context to the oppressive systems of American capitalism. I often include elements from southern Baptist-style Christianity, such as angels and heaven, to express my own fantasies and pain. I prefer to use a username as my artist name to position the space and time I operate within.

Artist Bio

Sparklecats2009 (it/its) is the project of an artist living and working in Knoxville, TN. sparklecats2009 received a BFA from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. It works as an independent artist and designer, exhibiting and selling work across the United States. It currently serves as the art director for Ravefurrest, tasked with collaborating alongside creatives and designing posters. For work inquiries, please email battsdesign@gmail.com
For all other inquiries, please email sparklecats2009@gmail.com

CURRICULUM VITAE

SPARKLECATS2009

Freddy Batts
sparklecats2009@gmail.com

Education

2023 | Austin Peay State University - Bachelor’s of Fine Arts cum laude

Work Experience

2023 | Makerspace Teaching Assistant + Technician, APSU Art + Design, Clarksville, TN 2023 | Gallery Assistant, APSU Art + Design, Clarksville, TN 2024 | Marketing Assistant, Knox Pride, Knoxville, TN 2024 | Graphic Designer, South Press Cafe, Knoxville, TN Present | Art Director, Ravefurrest LLC, Nashville, TN

Solo Shows

2022 | SPARKLEHEAVEN, Austin Peay State University Barbara Beach Gallery, Clarksville, TN

Group Shows

2021 | 53rd Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 2022 | Open Source Video Exhibition, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 2022 | 54th Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Clarksville, TN 2022 | Kandy Kultur, Core New Art Space, Lakewood, CO 2023 | 55th Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 2025 | Room Party, Bunker Projects, Pittsburgh, PA

Curated

2023 | GENDER ???, Austin Peay State University Barbara Beach Gallery, Clarksville, TN

Awards and Honors

2022 | Summer Research Grant, Center for Excellence in the Creative Arts, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee 2023 | Office of Student Research Grant, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee

Residencies

2023 | The Living Gallery Residency (Spring & Fall), Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee

Press (mentioned)

Furry Community Gathers on Chicago's South Side for Underground Rave