Tony Cran

Exhibitions

Howling Forever - 2007

Tony CranHowling ForeverOctober 4 - 27, 2007 The natural and super natural worlds have a tendency to overlap in Tony Cran's work. Totemistic objects and animals loom as if waiting for a call to arms. The symbolic relationship between humans and animals is one of the longest lasting motifs in art, perhaps because animals are or closest bond to the natural world. The concern with humanity's self-appointed dominion over nature lies at the heart of this new series of work. Climate change, habitat and species loss, Holy war, cultural movements toward 'retro-racism' and various other forms of nastiness have rattled the artist and are increasingly present in everyday awareness. Although grappling with apocalyptic themes Cran has painted images that are as haunting for their beauty as their implied troubles. "Though these phantoms are within the work, the driving force is an urge for contact with some sense of the divine, with a wilderness lying in wait both externally and internally." These paintings are skilfully rendered and the warm glow of Tony's palette adds to the dreamlike quality of his work. The luminosity in these paintings, like a silver lining, suggests hopefulness that something will rebalance the discord. There is irony and wit present in these paintings, the titles are borrowed from contemporary songs and the animals are adorned and outfitted to sway. Cran's aesthetic is influenced by paperback illustration, folk art, early 20th century painting, Voodoo art, 1990's suburban witchcraft and all things romantic. Tony completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours at the Victoria College of the Arts in 2005. For further information, please contact the gallery.

Howling forever, 2007  Who here among us still believes in choice?, 2007  Conjured up at the birth of the world, 2007  Until the ghost of your memory beats drums down every hall, 2007  Trying for heroics as history sinks (portrait of a two faced dandy), 2007  Untitled, 2007  Dust War, 2007 




Local Time - 2009

Victory, 2009  Load Bearer, 2009  The Stumbling Block, 2009  United dominion, 2009  An Immovable Object vs an Unstoppable Force, 2009  Venom, 2009  Local Time exhibition view 2009  Local Time exhibition view 2009  Local Time exhibition view 2009  Local Time exhibition view 2009  Local Time exhibition view 2009  Local Time exhibition view 2009 




Ghosts and Flowers - 2010

Rock bottom riser, 2010 




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