Kiki Smith's recent installation Guardians at CityLife Artline includes two bronze sculptures depicting cats as ‘benevolent protectors guarding the neighbourhood'.

‘Cats are mystical companions who give us joy and comfort. These sacred animals, like many other living creatures, have become perceived as burdens to modern cities. Abandoned for social and economic reasons, they are left without treatment and exposed to diseases. Often their reproductive organs are destroyed for our convenience. Like the loss of diversity in the plant world, the genetic diversity of animals is dwindling. I was inspired by cats living in the most surrounding Castello Sforzesco to make my piece for CityLife Artline'. — Kiki Smith