About us

Swartkat studios was born out of a desire for diversity, freedom and authentic expression.

 

The company was fondly named by the founder, Nicole Karmine in reference to a Afrikaans ‘80s TV show called “Die Swart Kat” (The Black Cat) that featured a young boy who was inspired by Batman to fight neighbourhood crime and dressed up as a cat.

 

“I used to prance around as a young girl growing up in South Africa saying “Ek is die swart kat”. Ironically, I was fighting crime as a career for almost 10 years but I had forgotten all about that little swart kat."

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After losing her job in a retrenchment two months after she was transferred to New York City to lead a team in Financial Crime Investigations, Nicole, realised that the universe had different plans for her being in the United States. She took herself on an adventure - back to her heart - and re-discovered the “swart kat” self within her.

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“To me, it represented this time in my life that I was my young true self - unencumbered, untapped and unbound. And I had lost that spirit along the way but I was already on a journey back to that silly, playful, creator and creative self. I truly had to examine the reasons I had shut her down and hidden her from the world. I am thankful today that part of what I do as an intra-personal facilitator and founder is that I can help others re-connect.”

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It was along this journey that Nicole met Renske, who had also just moved to the vibrant city of New York and is working in the digital content strategy and brand activations space.

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"Pursuing a Master's degree in Communications & Digital Media was a natural next step in furthering my passion for project management and telling stories. Fast forward six years, I had actually gained experience in successfully managing innovative projects for distinctive brands and artists.

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So when Nicole told me that she wanted to create a platform that would change the creative landscape, it was clear that not only did we share a deep love for art but also free creative expression."

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In recognising the challenges that artists face - to create authentically while sustaining yourself financially (never mind seeking to reap the rewards of your original work without being boxed into the expectations of big brands), we wanted to create a space that would empower and inspire artists.

We are empowering creatives to showcase their unique stories.

 

Swartkat Studios is part of making that happen.