About Meta Dame
ABOUT META DAME
The Artist Behind
The Timeless Creations
For more than four decades, Meta Dame has explored the beauty, mystery, and symbolism of the cat through sculpture, mixed media, and photo paintings. Inspired by nature, ancient cultures, and the unique spirit of the feline world, her work celebrates grace, elegance, and storytelling in all its forms.
My Story
Meta Dame — Cat Artist
For more than forty years, Meta Dame has dedicated her artistic life to exploring the beauty, symbolism, mystery, and spirit of the cat.
Inspired by Ancient Egypt, nature, mythology, and the timeless figure of Bastet, her work spans sculpture, mixed media, photography, exhibitions, and commissioned pieces. Each creation reflects her enduring passion for feline elegance and her commitment to transforming that inspiration into meaningful works of art.
Meta Dame
"Cats have been my greatest teachers and muse. Through my art, I hope to share the beauty, wisdom, and magic they bring into our lives."
- Meta Dame
Experience & Recognition
40+
Years of
Artistic Experience
100+
Exhibitions &
Art Events
29
Years of
Cat Gallery
1000+
Artworks
Created
A Lifelong Fascination With Cats
The phenomenon of the cat has fascinated Meta Dame for as long as she can remember. At the age of sixteen, she was already drawing whimsical cats with oversized heads, curly tails, and distinctive personalities.
Her decision to focus on cats professionally dates back to 1979. While studying at the Academy of Visual Arts, she was asked to choose a theme for her work. She selected “the cat,” although her teacher advised against it, believing the subject could easily become kitschy. Accepting the challenge, Meta decided that once she left the academy, she would dedicate herself entirely to exploring the artistic possibilities of the cat.
Choosing the Cat as Her Artistic Theme
Meta was determined to prove that the cat could be represented as a serious artistic subject. She was captivated by the animal’s unique combination of intelligence, elegance, spirituality, mystery, and playful character.
How could a creature with the grace of a ballet dancer be considered trivial when depicted in art? This question became the foundation of her lifelong artistic journey.
Inspired by Bastet and Ancient Egypt
As Meta delved deeper into her chosen subject, she became increasingly fascinated by the history of Ancient Egypt, where cats were revered and protected.
Particularly influential was Bastet, the Egyptian Cat Goddess associated with love, fertility, music, protection, and motherhood. Bastet was often portrayed as a cat or as a woman with a cat's head, adorned with jewelry and accompanied by kittens.
The elegance of Ancient Egyptian cats continues to influence Meta’s work today. Her feline figures are typically slender, graceful, proud, and poised—reflecting the timeless beauty she associates with both Bastet and the ancient world.
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Capturing the Spirit of the Cat
In Meta’s work, the cat appears both as an animal and as a symbolic figure inspired by Bastet. Sometimes these representations are serious and contemplative, while at other times they contain humor, playfulness, and gentle irony.
She is particularly interested in portraying the softer side of the cat—its curiosity, wisdom, elegance, independence, and charm. Through her art, Meta explores not only the appearance of cats but also their personality and spirit.
From Ceramics to Bronze
Meta initially worked primarily with ceramics, creating sculptures that celebrated feline beauty and symbolism. Over time, her artistic exploration expanded to include bronze, soapstone, and mixed-media works incorporating found objects such as antique artifacts, weathered metal, and natural materials.
These materials help create the aged, lived-in atmosphere that characterizes much of her work. Her sculptures often evoke the feeling of ancient discoveries, forgotten civilizations, and timeless stories hidden within history.
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A New Artistic Direction
Since 2020, Meta has expanded her artistic practice through photo paintings on wood and canvas.
After discovering the technique of manually transferring photographs onto wood, she continued experimenting and later adapted the process for canvas. She combines photographs taken during walks in nature with images of her sculptures and her own cats.
The result is a collection of dreamlike scenes where reality and imagination merge. These works often possess an impressionistic quality, enhanced by selective hand-painting and artistic intervention.
Exhibitions, Gallery & Commissions
From 1993 until 2022, Meta operated her own Cat Gallery, a unique space dedicated to feline-inspired art.
Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous exhibitions, both independently and alongside other cat artists. Her work has been displayed in galleries and museums throughout the Netherlands and internationally.
In addition to her personal collections, Meta also creates commissioned artworks for collectors who wish to own a unique piece inspired by her artistic vision.
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