Tony Nero originally trained as a graphic designer in London and worked in the music industry producing record sleeves, posters and magazines for a period that exceeded 25 years. Part of this time was spent running my own graphic studio. 

Some years ago I was granted the title of Peterborough Photo Laureate and was awarded a civic award for my contributions to arts and culture in the community. I have been a full time artist and tutor to adults and young people for a number of years now.

As a child I’ve always enjoyed art and while attending secondary school in London, was encouraged by my art teachers. Over the years 
my passion for art has grown and being inspired 
by nature, people, surrealism, life and other artists, I love to paint just about anything. I also love the effect of light and dark and often love to work while listening to music. Learning all the time while trying to improve my work and hoping to evoke something in the viewer. My work is very diverse and I work in various different mediums such as pencils, charcoal, pastels, oils, watercolour and stipple-dot drawings. The majority of my art being self-taught but I also undertook some formal fine arts training at the London Guildhall University. I have also developed a mixed media style where I combine broken vinyl with guitar strings. Most recently I’ve added spray paint and mural painting to my forte.

I first displayed my work at the former Peterborough Art House and I had my first solo exhibition in Peterborough in 2008.
 Pieces of my work are now held in homes and private collections across the world. Ever since
 my first exhibition I have been showing my work regularly and is very pro-active in promoting 
local art in Peterborough. I am also a longstanding committee member of Peterborough Artists Open Studios. My past works included local dignitaries such as Mayors, Councilors, and even the past Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. I have also been very active in promoting Black History Month and Diversity in Peterborough. One of my biggest achievements to date was showing my Black Heroes collection of portraits in an exhibition at Wembley Stadium. 

My Practice: In some of my work, I pursue my fascination with ‘Absence of Presence’. The simple concept where we are able to see something that‘s no longer there, or visualise what used to be. I try to capture this concept in my work by using marks and colours, also leaving out certain features in order to add depth and encourage creativity in the viewer. The abstract nature of my work encourages a sense of excitement of not knowing what will happen with each stroke, and the secret of the final image
is to decide what not to include.

It’s always an honor to be invited to exhibit with ESC Artists. My most recent exhibition was a solo exhibition Half A Pencil at the Peterborough Museum.

Contact Tony Nero
Website: artoftonynero.com or follow Art of Tony Nero on Facebook & Instagram

all images © Tony Nero