Material, Memory and Belonging
A Curatorial Reflection on Anthony Carey’s Practice
By Dr Katrina Whitehead
Lecturer and Visual Arts Educator
In
Belonging: A Quest for Home, Anthony Carey invites us on a deeply personal and resonant journey—one that explores identity, ancestry, emotional memory, and our innate longing for a sense of place. This exhibition presents more than a collection of paintings; it is the culmination of a profound process of self-discovery, research, and reflection. Through layers of paint and meaning, Carey's work asks timely questions: Where do we come from? What connects us? How do we visually translate the feeling of belonging?
Throughout his creative journey, Anthony has approached his practice with remarkable dedication and a rigorous yet intuitive methodology. His research into Jungian archetypes, haptic perception, and the emotional resonance of materials reveals a mature and evolving artistic voice—one that seeks not only to express but to connect.
Themes of displacement, familial legacy, and cultural identity echo powerfully through his canvases, particularly in works like Ancestors, a painting steeped in both personal narrative and symbolic resonance. From his carefully considered sketchbooks to the construction of a professional code of conduct and commitment to ethical, sustainable practices in the studio, Anthony’s practice is as reflective as it is expressive. His attention to detail—whether through curatorial choices, material experimentation, or audience engagement—demonstrates a keen awareness of how art lives both in the studio and in the world.
The evolution of his exhibitions, including the bold visual strategies seen in the recent joint show Between the Shores, shows a confident handling of curation and presentation. His willingness to collaborate, while also recognising the potential strengths of solo work, reflects an artist in tune with both creative vision and practical execution. The thoughtful use of colour and spatial dynamics—such as the striking red-on-red display—indicates a growing sophistication in how he stages emotional impact within a gallery context.
Anthony’s commitment to professional growth is equally visible in his embrace of digital media, self-assessment, and audience feedback. Whether refining his video documentation or considering the impact of framing decisions, he remains open to critique and innovation.
His smaller works, once described playfully, are now rightly positioned as intimate yet equally powerful explorations of the same deep themes as his larger pieces. Underlying all of this is a rare honesty—a willingness to share not just the outcomes, but the uncertainties, the questions, and the emotional terrain of making art. In this way, Anthony’s work does more than fill a gallery space; it resonates with the viewer, calling forth reflection on our own stories, homes, and inheritances.
It has been a pleasure to witness Anthony’s development throughout this journey. His work embodies a powerful intersection of the personal and the universal. Belonging: A Quest for Home is a testament to what happens when an artist brings theory, memory, and material together with both courage and care.