ILLUMINATE – A Solo Exhibition by Tony Fisher

7th–26th June 2025
Opening Night & Artist Talk: Saturday 7th June, 6–8pm
Ilkeston Contemporary Arts, Heanor Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8TB

Ilkeston Contemporary Arts is proud to present ILLUMINATE, a solo exhibition by Derbyshire-based photographer and visual artist Tony Fisher. Opening with a special artist talk and private view on Saturday 7 June, this vibrant new show highlights Fisher’s emotionally resonant and formally diverse photography practice, capturing the sublime within the everyday.

His  prolific photographic output arrives like a visual rhythm — a spontaneous, unfolding beat of colour, humour, reflection, and texture. As Andrea Hadley-Johnson, exhibition maker and PhD researcher, describes:

“Tony’s images stimulate the pleasure of noticing… infusing the ordinary with the extraordinary and vice versa. Each image — delicate yet strong — incites curiosity with every glance in its direction.”

About the Artist

Tony Fisher has been active in the arts since the 1970s. He studied at Derby College of Art and Trent Polytechnic, drawing early inspiration from documentary and surrealist photography icons such as  Henri Cartier-Bresson , Man Ray, Jo Spence etc . Based in Riddings, near Alfreton, his practice has spanned photography, experimental filmmaking, and community arts initiatives.

His acclaimed project Only the Lonely? began in 2019 and grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing tender portraits and landscapes that reflect isolation, resilience, and quiet acts of community. Exhibited at many Derbyshire galleries  examples Erewash Museum, Artcore Derby, , also venues in London , Wakefield , Northern Ireland .

Fotonostrum Gallery Barcelona , 2021 runner up in the Julia Margeret Cameron award

For a positive image of woman from a man’s perspective.

Historic England 

He has three images in the permanent collection including Derbyshire .

The project demonstrates his signature empathy and attentiveness.

Following profound personal losses, Fisher credits photography with helping him navigate grief and mental health challenges:

“Art was the thing that kept me alive.”

Exhibition Details

Venue: Ilkeston Contemporary Arts (ILKON), Heanor Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8TB
Website: www.ilkonarts.com
Socials: @ilkestoncontemporaryarts, @rubywaagetownsendart