It's not every artist who would critique the capitalist institutions of the modern global economy by with people in suits with animal heads, but that's why we like Tony Taylor. So we got the OCAD and University of the Arts London graduate to explain a bit about the thought process that informs his art:"This collection of work is a reflection on world economic forums and G summit series — and how they undermine democracy and often lead to violently disrupting the civilians and cities in which they are hosted. These well-publicized events highlight an opportunity for world leaders and corporations to bump elbows, share anecdotes and discuss economic philosophy, disregarding any opportunity for public participation or representation. For me these events resemble a gathering of the animal powerhouses from the financial and political jungles where only the wealthy survive.
"I have chosen to replace the faces of these leaders and corporate representatives with those of animals that I feel reflect a truer sense of their character. Howard Zinn, a political science professor and activist believed that, 'Art moves away from reality and invents something that may be ultimately more accurate about the world than what a photograph can depict.' Affection and friendship expressed through overt body language and tone in front of the cameras communicate an often convincing, but false sense of ‘we’re all in this together’.
"I believe that art should be socially challenging, not based solely on aesthetics. I paint what I paint because I am concerned about the direction we’re headed in as a species. Few people are making decisions that consistently and negatively effect a large percentage of the population; and I believe there is a desperate need for things to change. With the current OCCUPY movement fresh in the memories of Canadians and most of the developed world, artists have the opportunity to respond to a significant time in our generation's history in very creative and challenging ways. It is our responsibility as artists to continue to engage and encourage people both locally and globally to keep asking questions of those who control the financial structures we’re forced to survive in."
"I believe that art should be socially challenging, not based solely on aesthetics. I paint what I paint because I am concerned about the direction we’re headed in as a species. Few people are making decisions that consistently and negatively effect a large percentage of the population; and I believe there is a desperate need for things to change. With the current OCCUPY movement fresh in the memories of Canadians and most of the developed world, artists have the opportunity to respond to a significant time in our generation's history in very creative and challenging ways. It is our responsibility as artists to continue to engage and encourage people both locally and globally to keep asking questions of those who control the financial structures we’re forced to survive in."
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Posted by Carmen Cheung. You can check out all of our Artists To Watch here.
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