This recent work embraces the ideas and creative output that has preoccupied Toni Gallagher for many years. It is part of a cycle of creation that is inspired by The Seven Deadly Sins.

The first of her explorations was directed to Gluttony and is represented by The Old Lady That Swallowed a Fly. She took the classic children’s song and revealed and reveled in its dark ideas by integrating it into her thematic progression that underpins all her work; the exploration and revelation of mortality.

Her fierce eye in this exhibition explores her personal fears and concerns surrounding the subject of Death and her subliminal confrontation with mortality and greed.

“I used to consider x-rays dark and intimidating, but recent events have made me de-sensitized to them and what they potentially represent. For the first time in my life, I have had to face the prospect of someone close to me to dying. “

The process of losing a pet is one of our earliest experiences of Death and here she deftly references the childhood fairy story to explore feelings surrounding fear and loss, whilst fundamentally celebrating life by recognising and accepting the fragility of mortality. Many of the pieces create the backstory of this lady and her curious eating habits. Why did she swallow the fly? Who was she? And how exactly do you swallow a cow whole?

The celebration of the x-rays power to reveal the inner workings of animals and their skeletons transcend their origins to resonate in her images and design imbuing the pieces with subconscious power.

Much of Toni’s neon work has been created as a form of escapism and has developed through her experiences in Art Directing, sculpting and photography. There are 3 new pieces in this show and are exhibited here for the first time.