HE MAY not have opposable thumbs but this prestigious artist doesn’t need to be able to grip a paintbrush to create his art – he uses his tongue.
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Wonky, who goes by the artist identity of Wonksy, opened his inaugural exhibition at the BackTrack shed on Friday.
The red cattle dog’s executive assistant Simon Mellor says the show allows Wonksy to display his many artistic conceptualisations and techniques, such as “unpainting”.
“He primarily paints with his tongue, using a secret paint recipe,” Mellor said.
“He takes the paint off with his tongue.”
With the help of Mellor and stylist, translator and spiritual adviser Peter Browne, Wonsky has put together an extensive exhibition exploring a range of themes, demonstrating his Disgusting Period and his observations of the art world.
“IT’S A comment on the Hirsts and the Warhols outsourcing the art,” Mellor said.
“Andy Woofhole was a big influence on him, as was Roy LICKtenstein.”
The exhibit features paintings and sculptures, such as a statue of a mans’ leg, aptly titled Lust.
Like most great artists, Wonksy has a dark, tormenting past but he hasn’t let that turn him into a tortured a soul.
“He has a range of physical issues that resulted from a very bad injury when he was a pup, hence why he’s called Wonky because he’s very wonky,” Mellor said.
“Half his teeth were smashed out and his shoulder was dislocated and his leg was broken.
“He’s also done a bit of time at the pound so he’s overcome a lot of adversity.
“He’s happy to be here, that’s a tagline for Wonky, every day above ground’s a great day.”
“Apart from anything else he has a beautiful nature,” Browne said.
“He’s the smartest person I know.”
For the artist and his creative team, the BackTrack shed was the perfect location to launch his work into the public domain.
“Working with Bernie, it’s all sort of tied in with his dog program,” Mellor said.
“Wonky’s a big fan of the dogs being assigned a kid and working with the kids and teaching them life skills.”
The works are expected to be on show for the rest of the week and will next appear at local bar The Welder’s Dog.
