Who is Anthony David Woods?
A 73 year old male artist who has been exhibiting his work for over 40 years in Australia, a resident of Fitzroy, super8 filmmaker, field recording artist, a video maker, a father of two young females, and a generally fine fellow.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Try to do all art that I undertake better and be a pleasant member of society.
Who inspires you and why?
When I try to express in my art my feelings and thoughts, I never feel alone it is always I and I, believing in the inner voice guiding me.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
No idea, not to break the law.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I do not take a holiday, my travelling days are over, I have no interest in being a tourist.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Federation Square and ACCA – plenty to see and hear and maybe a stroll alongside the Yarra.
What are you currently reading?
A small book detailing Keith Harings’ visit to Melbourne and his mural in Collingwood and other social / art activities in the Melbourne area.
What are you currently listening to?
Wim Mertens – a Belgium minimalist composer ,singer and piano player on YouTube.
Happiness is?
Snuggling in bed under my two doonas on these freezing July / August nights.
What does the future hold for you?
You mean what do I hold for the future, wait and see.
Born in Hobart in 1940, Anthony (Tony) David Woods developed an interest in the visual at an early age. Initially focusing on landscape watercolours, he soon became interested in figurative work.
In 1968 he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship, spending two years living and working in New York City where he developed an interest in abstraction, inspired by the environment around him. Following the loss of his entire New York studio due to a fire, Woods returned to Australia.
Starting afresh, Woods recommenced painting and in later years developed an interest in super 8, video and sound recording. Since 1962, Woods has staged many solo exhibitions across Australia and has been featured in numerous significant group exhibitions.
Woods is represented in major public, institutional and private collections in Australia and overseas. Since the 1980s, Tony Woods has lived and worked in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
His life is celebrated in the recently published Tony Woods: Archive by www.artinfo.com.au and is available at all good bookstores.
