This article contains mentions of addiction.
Two artists are tackling a creative way to confront addiction and its stigma through honesty, advocacy and humor. The new exhibition Church Halls and Broken Biscuits breaks down the “12 steps to recovery” mindset through depictions featuring beloved childhood cartoon characters. Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster attends a meeting for overeaters, Bert and Ernie obsess over adult content and Winnie the Pooh’s Eeyore and Pooh Bear reenact a therapy session.
Created by recovered addicts-turned-artists, DJ Fat Tony (whose real name is Tony Marnoch) and Opake (whose real name is Ed Worley) celebrate their recovery through subversive and provocative art in the exhibition, which will will raise funds to help others find their own path in overcoming addition.
“I hated myself and life and all I had to look forward to was death,” said DJ Fat Tony. “This exhibition celebrates 16 years clean and sober, and my love of life. If we can save one person’s life through this exhibition then it’s all worthwhile.”
The exhibition will feature a specially curated “hero” piece of art to be shared on social media before it will be sold at a closed silent suction. The funds raised will enable treatment for a number of struggling addicts at a UK rehabilitation center, facilitated by the UK’s leading and longest established residential treatment center, Street Scene.
Other pieces on display include 10 illustrations with an “early recovery” theme. There’s a child praying over a McDonald’s hamburger and a child taking a selfie while clutching a Balenciaga teddy bear, all tapping into depictions of self-sabotage.
Opake is now five years clean and the father of two young children. He’s gained an international reputation for his graffiti-style pop art, often featuring recognizable cartoon characters in his work, and offered some inspiring words ahead of the exhibit. “Addiction isn’t a hindrance, it’s a gift – you just have to learn how to use it,” he said.
The show kicked off on Wednesday, April 26 and will be open at London’s Quantus Gallery until May 20.
