Anthony Key was Born in South Africa in 1949 where he grew up only too aware of his Chinese heritage, caught in the middle of a country which saw everything in two colours: Black and white. He moved to Britain in 1972 at the age of 23 and began the long process of applying for an immigration visa and discovering his cultural identity. Nowadays, Anthony does not hestiate to call himself 'British-Chinese', but it was this journey that led him to explore the way in which Britain perceives the 'Chinese' identity. He is interested in the fixed mindset of what it is to be Chinese and the myth that has been created instantly conjuring images of Chinese takeway or Kung Fu movies when the word is mentioned.
Anthony's work explores these bizarre notions and takes everyday objects to conjure up startling images that challenge our perceptions and ideas about what it means to be Chinese in Britain today. His passion for minimilism can be seen in his work, so too can his almost obsessional need for order in collecting objects. His work often involves taking simple objects that we often take for granted (e.g. takeaway cartons) and turning them into the building blocks for something greater and wholly unexpected. Anthony references food as central theme in much of his work; Food being central to many immigrants cultural identity and source of security.
Anthony's work eventually led him to completeing a PHD at the Winchester School of Art. His latest work was produced for the Irish Museum of Modern Art when he was the Artist in Residence for the summer of 2005.
| Artist Statement |
| Current Project |
| Background |
| Press Cuttings |
| Book |
| Links |