PROJECT ROOM :

TONY FAEHSE

Exhibition Dates : 26 August - 7 September 2025
Opening Reception : Wed 27 August 2025, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Music to My Eyes

Drawing and painting was my thing, and I thought art teacher was to be my career. However while still at school I started playing guitar in rock bands and that led instead to a career in music. And later another in vintage furniture retail. In between I kept doing art, but always part time.

Finally in recent years I’ve been able to go back and finally realise my painting dreams. 

This exhibition of new work draws its subjects from what’s most important to me.. the people I’ve loved, the cats I’ve known, and my guitars, a source of endless material and inspiration.

The sensual shape of the guitar in all its forms has for me totemic power. Whether as two or three dimensional images rendered impressionistically “real”, or abstracted into stylised overlapping shapes where colours rule, or in juxtaposition with the female form. 

The images of people I’ve chosen to evoke an emotion in the viewer.. hopefully joyful. 

It’s the fleeting moment in time that I’m wanting to save and savour. 

And cats.. well, what can you say?

Tony Faehse (pronounced Fayzee) as guitarist and songwriter is best known for his work with Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons 1977-1983 (ARIA HALL OF FAME 2007), before that London 1973-1977 including touring Europe with Alvin Stardust. 1996-2019 with wife Wendy trading in Mid Century Modern furniture and design at their shop Retro Active in Northcote, Melbourne.