Local artist unveils new exhibit at Warrington Museum

Tony Green is a fashion illustrator who has worked with household names such as Vogue, L’Oréal and Selfridges - as well as creating designs for Prada and Adidas.

Now, the artist has returned to his hometown to display his brand-new exhibit: Scribbles.

Tony feels that art is for sharing, and shouldn't be about keeping things to yourself (Image: Dave Gillespie)

Tony has lived all over Warrington, including Latchford, Paddington, and Woolston.

According to Culture Warrington, which manages Warrington Museum: "[Tony] will be showcasing his playful, spontaneous and energetic style which has been turning heads in the industry for more than a decade."

A Warrington local, Tony can often be found in his studio space at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces, which is in the old M&S building on Sankey Street.

Tony often collaborates with Culture Warrington; last year he hosted an abstract fashion illustration workshop for Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival and he was part of Warrington Museum’s Dividing Lines, a collaborative exhibition featuring eight artists of different disciplines.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian about his new exhibit, Tony said: "I wouldn't want people to have to pay to come and see the exhibit - everybody should be able to come and see."

Tony's art is being displayed at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery until January (Image: Dave Gillespie)

When asked why it's special to him that he stays true to his roots in the town, he added: "There's something cool about coming to a place like this in Warrington, and finding these hidden places.

"With social media, people are more interested in coming to hidden gems [like Warrington Museum] - social media has made places like this a lot cooler.

"When I was younger I was quite snobby about Warrington, and that I wanted to get out of here - but that was in the past.

"My mindset is totally different now, and it's about praising places like Warrington Museum."

He added: "You can do that by making places seem cool - I embrace being from Warrington, and having spaces like this; you wouldn't get this space in London.

"People respond to the fact that I've not changed, and they like that I'm still the same even though I've lived away a lot."

Tony explained that he has had a lot of support from close friends and family over the years, including his mother.

Art galleries aren't for everyone, but Tony says there's something for everyone in his latest showcase, explaining: "It's fun.

"What child doesn't want to go into a room full of colourful scribbling?"

It's important to Tony that art is accessible for all, which is why he's proud that his exhibit is free to view (Image: Dave Gillespie)

Tony says that he'd want people to think a certain way about him when they see this window into his work, saying: "I'd like visitors to think I'm someone that makes people feel welcome in the environment.

"Art should be about sharing, not about keeping things to yourself."

Tony Green's 'Scribble' can be seen at Warrington Museum from Friday, September 29, until Sunday, January 14 - it is free to view.