TONYS TOYS is the first photo book by avant-garde Irish photographer and artist Tony Kelly. It is a self-published, handmade piece of photographic art. Kelly chose the self-publishing route to sidestep the constraints of commercial publishing, allowing him to reflect his signature level of extravagance – right down to the hand stitched pages and luxurious velvet presentation box.
This is not a book – it’s an experience.
In the rich pages of this unique collection, Kelly has captured the potency of a full scale photographic exhibit. Ground breaking for both its innovative layout, dimensions and the scale of the images presented, this limited edition piece cements Kelly’s position as one of the most original and provocative photographers of our time.
Each image works as a standalone, tongue-in-cheek social commentary on the power divide between man and woman. While every image invites layered interpretation, in the eyes of the photographer, men are reduced to powerless pawns in the presence of a beautiful female. In TONYS TOYS, the woman always comes out on top.
While this delicious collection of dynamic, vibrant and often explicit images will undoubtedly elicit varied reactions from the viewer, this artist’s chief goal is first and foremost to stir, move and entertain.