The Adornment of Silence – New Art by Tony Bartley
The Artist Finding Inspiration in the Graveyards of Belfast
Graveyards are full of stories, secrets, whispers feelings, time and weather. Tony attempts to capture the essence of this Gothic post-modernist treasure chest.
The paintings in the current exhibition started life as studies for a series of artworks about the film ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’, often adored as the Worst Film Ever Made. As soon as he started work, however, Tony realised that these spaces, full of feelings and whispers and secrets and stories, were already packed full of references, even before you added zombies and space ships. They are paintings about permanence, change and rhythm, but at the end of the day, mostly about light and mood.
Belfast-born Tony graduated from the Art College in Belfast in 1989 and currently lives and works between Belfast and South Down. In 1991 he represented Ireland in a show marking the Maastricht Treaty, while other exhibitions abroad include shows in Holland, Belgium, Mexico, Italy and the USA.
Tony has been an active participant in the DIY art scene, being a founder member and chairperson of the Emperor’s New Clothes Group, which brought international artists to exhibit in non-conventional spaces. He was an art critic for Circa and Fortnite and was Visual Arts Editor of the Big Spoon. Extension of his practice has included working with artists with experience of severe mental illness, film making, law and billposting.
All artworks are available to buy through the Own Art scheme, which gives you an interest-free loan over 10 months (and you still get to take the art home immediately at the exhibition’s end).
Late Night Opening Wed 2 October from 6 to 8pm
ArtisAnn Gallery, 70 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast, BT5 5AE
Gallery Opening Hours
Tue – Fri: 11am to 6pm
Saturday: Noon to 5pm