The fantasy world of Anthony Holmes

Being drawn by Anthony Holmes was absolute torture… and also strangely exhilarating and fun.

When I asked to interview the Zimbali-based artist he insisted that he also draw me, so I could share in the experience of creating art. A look on his website quickly told me he most often draws nudes… “Yikes, well okay but my clothes are staying on!”

Still, I am used to being the one holding the camera, so when it came time for a photo shoot I was right out of my comfort zone.

But Anthony soon made me feel at ease with his quirky and down to earth manner. For him, art is a creative process that begins as soon as you walk in the door.

“You unhook from everything outside and plug into a fantasy zone. We bring our ideas together and mix them around. At the end its not my work, its ours,” he said.

He tells me the process is addictive, with his clients returning dozens of times, for more, and I believe him.

Anthony is self taught, using a variety of mediums, including oils, charcoal, pastel, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, photography and sculpture.

His work has an ethereal quality, sometimes disturbing and controversial, other times peaceful and thoughtful.

“I try and capture my own physiological experience. I do not shy from controversy, I do not want to draw ‘safe’ just to sell more.”

He makes you think, by depicting humankind in a factual yet surreal way.

“I do not want to hide the flaws or oddities but use them to evoke emotions.”

Originally from Jo’burg, he now spends six months of the year on the Dolphin Coast and the other half of the year in Gauteng.

Frustrated by the restrictive school system Holmes left school in standard eight. He completed his matric through night school before studying electronics and entering the music industry.

Ten years ago he retired and that was when he had the freedom and the time to focus on what he loves best, art.

Losing himself in his art, Holmes can create dozens of pieces from a single session. Im my case he drew me more than 30 and then came the real torture. He made me choose just one to take home.

“Life is reality, art is fantasy. What is life without art?”