Tony Mentel
Bankside, 2023
Recycled and vintage fabrics, beads, thread, semi precious stones
65cm by 70cm
In his art practice, Tony Mentel calls upon his life as a fashion designer, specialising in bridal wear. His finely detailed tapestries are created using a range of techniques such...
In his art practice, Tony Mentel calls upon his life as a fashion designer, specialising in bridal wear. His finely detailed tapestries are created using a range of techniques such as hand and machine embroidery, applique and hand beading to create scenes and moments from queer life and the Sussex countryside. Recently Tony has been creating a body of work centred on the iconic Duke's Mound in Brighton. The material in his work comes from fashion off cuts, surplus fabric, inherited and handed down vintage fabrics - including curtains from his childhood home - and an array of semi precious stones, copper chains and beads, seed pearls and pins. His colour palette is also influenced by his work in fashion. In the spring time and summer his work reflects bright and vibrant colours of new blooms, greens and blues around Sussex.