Antony Hegarty – friend of t5m favourites Rufus and Martha and leading light of Antony and the Johnsons – is exhibiting his first solo show, The Creek, within an intimate gallery space in Central London.
Real artistry is the ability to translate a vision into any medium that presents itself – and Antony’s creativity allows him this luxury. His is an innate inner voice that reveals the same colours and tones in music, photography and drawing.
Lauded for his sublimely esoteric musical arrangements and lyrics, Antony has released three albums since 2000, including 2005’s Mercury Prize winning I am a Bird Now and new album, The Crying Light.
The group’s album sleeves and promo videos have always hinted at Antony’s artistic integrity, but although he has been painting and drawing for years, he has never felt confident enough to lay his artwork open to public scrutiny.
Isis Gallery owner, John Marchant has known Antony for many years. ‘I lived in NYC for a long time and we became friends in the 90’s,’ he says. ‘I was working in the art world there and returned to London a couple of years ago. Isis has been open a year and – having seen Antony’s drawing practice develop it seem a good idea to host his first solo show.’
He observes that ‘Antony’s music and art practice certainly share themes like our environment and relationships.’ It is clear that there is a link; where the single Another World cries ‘I’m gonna miss the sea, I’m gonna miss the snow,’ the collage ‘Cut Away The Bad 2’ highlights the plight of endangered species, as a polar bear lies bloodied at the hands of a hunter.
The works are revelatory and often fragmented; found images heavily layered, distressed or exposed to the elements, worked into with scratches and ink marks. The eponymous ‘Creek’ reveals traces, in pen, of what Antony imagines are its ‘unseen energetic vibrations.’ There are also moments of distilled clarity in his photographic work: ‘Julia’s Hand’ touching upon the transgender theme that prevails so often, ‘Ghost’ sees Antony’s face overlaid with that of his late grandmother.
The space in which these works are hosted is a small and intimate enclave moments away from the raucous chaos of Tottenham Court Road. With this exhibition, Antony and the Isis Gallery have succeeded in creating another world – a place of reflection, meditation and stunning imagery.
John Marchant hints that there may be more Antony Hegarty exhibitions in the offing, ‘but you’ll have to wait and see!’
All images courtesy the of artist and Isis Gallery London
Imogen Eveson
