About

Since dedicating himself to full-time artistry in 2014, Tony Taylor has carved out a unique space in the art world by combining wit, critique, and imagination. Working primarily in vibrant oils, Tony’s art uses the duality of humor and sharp observation to spark both smiles and meaningful dialogue. His signature approach involves replacing the faces of influential figures—politicians, corporate leaders, and cultural icons—with animals that he feels embody their true character, offering a deeper, often satirical commentary on power, influence, and human nature.

Tony’s journey as an artist began with formal training at OCAD University in Toronto, where he earned a degree in Drawing and Painting. He later pursued a Master’s in Painting at the University of the Arts London in England, immersing himself in Europe’s rich artistic and political history. This time abroad profoundly shaped his perspective and the direction of his work, especially as he witnessed firsthand the artistic responses to political unrest, corruption, and class struggles in cities like Dublin, Athens, and Berlin.

Award-winning and widely recognized, Tony was the recipient of the jury prize for The Art of Resistance at Nipissing University in 2010, the OCAD Award at the Artist Project in 2012, and was named one of Canada’s “UNTAPPED” artists in 2011. His work has been showcased in exhibitions and collections across Canada and internationally.

Tony’s paintings delve deep into the dynamics of power, inspired by events like the G Summit series, World Economic Forums, and other political spectacles. To him, these gatherings symbolize exclusion and the erosion of democratic values—an arena where elites connect, while the voices of everyday people are silenced. In his art, these leaders are reimagined as animal counterparts, reflecting the primal, survivalist instincts that underlie their polished façades.

As his body of work has evolved, Tony has extended his lens to include cultural icons from music, television, sports, and business, further exploring the “animal spirit” within influential figures. His paintings challenge us to consider what lies beneath the societal structures and norms we rely on—what remains when humanity is stripped back to its rawest form.

Through his evocative and thought-provoking art, Tony Taylor invites us to see the world differently—to laugh, to reflect, and to question the nature of leadership, influence, and the untamed spirit within us all.