Fat Tony and Opake's Free Art Exhibition Inspired by Addiction
Church Halls and Broken Biscuits, the first art show by DJ Fat Tony which opens next week in collaboration with the artist Ed Worley aka Opake, is named after the early days of recovery. Nursing cuppas with a biscuit in damp community halls is a fitting metaphor for the bleakness of addiction and the often tough road to recovery, but also hints to life on the other side.
Opening at Quantus Gallery in London on 26 April until 20 May, Church Halls and Broken Biscuits features work on canvas and installations playing on beloved childhood characters. Born from the idea that addiction takes us back to a childlike state of being, artworks featuring characters including the Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie and Winnie the Pooh see these childhood figures reframed as overeaters, or porn and sex addicts. They explore the mindset and behaviours behind the 12 steps to recovery. 'Seshame street', 'dopamine please' and 'why don't you love me' are just a few of the phrases drawn and painted onto the works, presenting a tongue-in-cheek look at addiction. 'I hated myself and life and all I had to look forward to was death. This exhibition celebrates 16 years clean and sober, and my love of life', Tony says.
The exhibition will feature a specially created ‘hero’ piece of art to be shared on social media from the show’s start date before being sold at a closed silent auction. Money raised will enable treatment for a number of addicts at a UK rehabilitation centre, facilitated by Street Scene.
Quantus Gallery
11-29 Fashion Street, London E1 6PX
The exhibition is free and open to the public 26th April – 20 May, 2023.
Open Monday - Friday 9.30am-6.00pm
