The Cookie Monster attends a meeting for overeaters; Eeyore and Pooh Bear re-enact a therapy session; Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie have an obsession with adult content; even the confectionery you find at meetings has had a makeover… it’s all the work of a pair of recovered addicts-turned-artists, DJ Fat Tony and Ed Worley (aka Opake), who between them are celebrating their recovery through some unsettling and provocative art.
These two creative forces have United in desire to confront the stigma of trauma through honesty, advocacy and humour. A tongue-in-cheek look at the different forms of addiction and recovery, the art featured in Church Halls and Broken Biscuits (26 April – 20 May) explores the ’12 steps to recovery’ mindset and behaviours. Meetings often take place in church halls or community centres, where tea is served alongside biscuits decorated with positive affirmations such as ‘One day at a time’.
Opake’s works often feature cartoon characters, and both Winnie the Pooh and the familiar figures from Sesame Street make an appearance on canvas. Cookie Monster attends an Overeaters meeting. The Count counts off his recovery days. Bert and Ernie are cast as former porn and sex addicts. The middle of the gallery space will feature life-size soft sculptures of The Count, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch.
