Kestra & Balthazar
Photos and text by Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Originally from New Zealand, but living in London for over ten years, is Kestra. She studies Performance: Design and Practice at Central St Martins. Balthazar, the black cat that lives with her in her apartment in East London, also has a performance background. He was born at the bohemian home of London performer and Drag artist Sharon Le Grand. Kestra's work is centred around sex, capitalism and climate change. Balthazar does his bit for climate change by eating bug-based cat food.
Balthazar's beginnings
“Balthazar came from a litter that Lucia Blayke and Sharon Le Grand’s cat had (Lucia is a trans activist). Lucia posted on her Instagram stories that there was a little black kitten who needed a home and I messaged her straight away. He came to me in a shoe box, I melted, he was such a sweet teensy charcoal baby!”
Cat that thinks he's a dog
“Balth grew up with a puppy in my first flat, so he’s got a lot of learnt doggish traits such as playing fetch, the goofy chasing his tail vibes and weirdly he loves being squirted with water - every time the plant mister is out, lil dude is right there ready for a spritz, don’t know what the deal is with that one though.. He’s also so intuitive. Balthy always snuggles right up with me when I’m having a rough time with my mental health, his vibe is very calm in those periods + super playful when things are brighter. I think they teach us a lot about emotional receptiveness.”
Slinky Malinky
“My favourite fictional cat is Slinky Malinki, he is from an illustrated book series by Lynley Dodd about this naughty cat who steals all the neighbours’ stuff and brings it back home with him, generally creating chaos. ‘Slinky Malinki was blacker than black, a stalking and lurking adventurous cat’.”
Dream pet
“I’d really love to have a friendly crow, who knew where I lived and just sometimes popped by to grab a snack or a stroke… Wouldn't ever want to contain a bird, they’ve got the most wonderful freedom in being able to fly!”
