The purpose of my work is to explore my own self and mind, to see what it is possible to create
and to stimulate curiosity in an alternative view of the world away from the mainstream media.
I want what I create to be spontaneous and playful. At the same time my work has references
to society, worldwide issues and art history. I don't subscribe to a particular theoretical
framework. I'm more interested in eastern spiritual traditions, doctrines and practices, which are
now being openly explored worldwide, especially in England and the US. I'm particularly interested
in the growing movement together of scientific research and ancient wisdom, or the comparison of
modern scientific knowledge and discovery with spiritual and religious practices and knowledge.
The visual aspect of my work owes a great deal to painting, both traditionally and from my
own twelve years experience as a practicing professional painter. It also takes inspiration from
film and cinema, especially the recent trend in Asian cinema to produce 'art-house horror movies'.
The most common motif in my videos is the short performance, often combined with painterly
visual imagery. These sometimes include my own physical body acting out a theme or creating a
character while at other times the performer is made invisible.
There are some symbolic references in my work that are more or less universal. The most
obvious one of these is the use of the mask. The mask's main function is to conceal what is behind
it and to project onto the world the image desired by the wearer. It is also possible for one mask
to conceal another: the double mask in 'Mirror' is trying to indicate the construction of layers of
protective lies that enable us to live in society. The mask can also represent the involuntary loss
of individuality, as a condemned person has a bag placed over his head or blindfold fitted before
being executed. A neutral mask conceals emotion and intent, while a mask with no features denotes
an individual stripped of personal identity and suggests human cruelty, atrocity or misfortune.
Apart from these symbolic references my use of masks is intended to conceal my own face in order to
create a fictional or anonymous character.
More recently the element of music has taken a high profile in my work. The music, usually
performed on a classical guitar or home-made instruments represents the inner voice of freedom and
joy, and is sometimes juxtaposed with or heard wandering through mundane or unsettling images.
The introduction of music creates an interesting dialogue, since music is something more
intuitive and connects to the heart, while contemporary art is commonly something that engages or
challenges the intellect.
Visit Tony Caunce's website:
www.tonycaunce.co.uk
Tony Caunce