“A Thousand Beautiful Things”
(Portrait of Annie Lennox)
73″ x 53″ x 23″
Ceramic, wood, found metal legs
and neon by Tesla neon
2021

For Tony, Annie Lennox is more than a musician; she is a muse. In his many studios over the years, Tony created numerous sculptures listening to the songs of Lennox’s group, the Eurythmics, and to her performances as a solo singer. Immersing himself in reading biographies, watching documentaries, listening to their music, and seeing their art at museums, Tony learns everything he can about his subjects. In this portrait, Tony represents Lennox as a noble songstress, dressed exuberantly in an exaggerated Rococo 18th century Pannier gown with a Fedora resting atop her flame-red ringlet hair. The manly hat denotes her musical partner in the Eurythmics, Dave Stewart, who frequently performed wearing a Fedora, and refers to her characteristic masculine dress worn as part of the duo. Pinned to Lennox’s blouse dangles the medal of honor presented to her in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II, appointing the singer/songwriter as Officer of the Order of the British Empire. The Queen bestowed this appointment to recognize her humanitarian work fighting AIDS and poverty in Africa. Tony further draws attention to Lennox’s advocacy by placing a circle of hot-pink neon in her white-gloved hands. Tony reveals the decisions he made during the design process of the Lennox portrait: “I put her in a Baroque dress and hairstyle because she always seems like royalty to me. The circle of neon represents the organization she started to further the rights and issues of girls and women worldwide.” What the artist does not reveal, what he leaves for the viewer to ponder, are these mysteries: the house sculpted at the back of the portrait, and in front, the curious objects placed within the numerous nook’s carved into the singer’s skirt. Upon investigation, one can discover that the house is inspired by an exhibition, “The House of Annie Lennox,” and symbolizes her childhood home in Scotland. The objects placed within or protruding from the nooks are meant to identify specific events, personal attributes,
and particular songs or albums in the singer’s life.