Seasoned Art

Visual Gluttony interviews Autumnal artist, Tony Nicholas.


VG : Tell me, Tony, what drives you to create ? Why do you create the things you do ?

Tony : What drives me to create is the same as what drives many artists to create - the desire to express myself. By expressing myself I will mark my mark on the world, and being creative allows me to work my personal "stuff" out constructively.

VG : Where did your involvement in art, just generally, begin ?

Tony : I have always loved art. Back in high school art was one of my favourite subjects and from there I went on to art school - Sydney College of Arts - where my focus was Visual Arts, majoring in painting.

Along with that I had a love for reading and the written word, moreso than performance, which many people thought I was well suited for - acting.

VG : So why is painting the art form you love best ?

Tony : Really I feel my forte is the written word and the still image (that is painting along with photography). I say these two things probably because I find I can express myself completely without any regard for anyone else, and they are something I can do without the help of others to create them.

VG : Well, I've seen you sign songs - you exude feeling, and it's easy to see your passion - ever thought of performing in that genre ?

Tony : Yes, I have thought of it, but I'd much prefer the production of it than the performing....but there's no deaf Suzi Quatro to the best of my knowledge !

VG : You could always be the first....The manner in which you express yourself when sign singing is very infectious. What process do you take yourself through to translate the lyrics into the visual ?

Tony : Thankyou for the compliment. I love rock. Part of the translation is understanding the culture of the music and meanings behind the songs I choose. It's not simply because something is upbeat and infectious and good to move to, it's the message it holds as well.

For example, when I perform "R.E.S.P.E.C.T" by Aretha Franklin, towards the end when she sings "Ooh with your respect...etc" I sign it to say "Damn your respect - I don't need it !" To do something like that, you really need to comprehend the lyrics and their intent. I must add that my greatest passion is for songs with lyrics relating to liberation and freedom, songs about forgiveness and redemption - which contrast with my love of rock.

To add to this, I know a very big part of art is experiencing the pleasure of it, be that through song, theatre, reading...anything. Performing in the manner that I do is a great medium to perhaps expose people to something new and introduce them to new ideas about communication.

VG : Speaking of performance, in other conversations we've had, you've mentioned the character "Mephisto", who will be visually introduced through your upcoming photoshoot. For those readers unfamiliar with this character, describe who Tony's Mephisto is.

Tony : My Mephisto is a man : M-A-N, man. For me, Mephisto originally was a larrikin who morphed into a devil-type character, who is driven to make people aware they have choices....AND that choices have consequences. I actually did not create him with the thought that one day I would give him a visual representation.

I see Mephisto as a Dorian Gray type figure - he is old, but never ages. I imagine him wearing Johnny Cash type attire, guitar slung over his shoulder. He is a very mascualine character, yet you can't pin down his sexuality. The upcoming photoshoot will be an opportunity for me to get into Mephisto's skin, so we'll see how that turns out.

VG : Mephisto sounds like a very strong character. Why did you create him in the first place ?

Tony : There was a time when I was utterly enamoured with Bette Middler and her character , “The Divine Miss M”. I decided that I wanted an alter ego, and at first this turned out to be a camp “Divine Mr T” (T for Tony), lol. I grew tired of that character, and wanted something more masculine. I love the Australian sense of humour – that sardonic, dry wit (think Doug Anthony Allstars) – and out of this Mephisto emerged.

VG : The Glutton will be sure to follow you up later in the year to meet Mephisto and the family, lol. Good luck Tony, and thanks for your time.

If you'd like to contact Tony for ventures in all things visual - from website creation to artistic production, go to his website : http://visualinstincts.com/

And if you are interested in taking a look at another of Tony's ventures, visit :

http://professionaldeaf.com.au

Photo used with permission of Michelle Legg Photography.