Tony Calzetta’s work blends bold linear abstraction with playful, imaginative narratives, creating whimsical yet sophisticated compositions that invite viewers into a world where high art meets surreal cartoon.
Tony Calzetta (b. 1945, Windsor, Ontario) is a celebrated Canadian artist whose work merges linear abstraction with playful, imaginative visual narratives. Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) in 2004, Calzetta has developed a highly personal visual vocabulary that evolves from subconscious doodling, automatic drawing, and later, conscious integration of external influences. Often described as creating “abstract funnies” or “surreal cartoons,” his work bridges high art and popular culture while inviting viewers to create their own narratives within each composition.
Calzetta has exhibited widely, with solo exhibitions at Mira Goddard Gallery, Toronto, Moore Gallery, Toronto, Winchester Galleries, British Columbia and MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie, as well as international recognition at the Venice Biennale (2011). His works are held in major public and corporate collections, including the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Canada Council Art Bank, and the corporate collections of Citibank, Cadillac Fairview, and Toronto Dominion Bank.
Calzetta’s large-scale drawings and paintings explore structural forms, dynamic shapes, and linear abstraction with an imaginative, often whimsical approach. Limited-edition artist books and commissioned installations further highlight his interdisciplinary practice. For collectors, his work offers a compelling combination of artistic rigor, imaginative vision, and cultural significance, making each acquisition both a visual treasure and a lasting investment.
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Tony Calzetta. Why Not Sneeze, Don't You Know?, 2006 charcoal, acrylic and oil stick on canvas 56" x 62" $6,500
Tony Calzetta. Dieter Rot Got Out His Book, Dieter Didn't Wrote, 2000 charcoal, acrylic and graphite on canvas 43" x 41" $4,500
Tony Calzetta. Hookers and Caviar, 2013 charcoal, acrylic and oil stick on canvas 48" x 58" $4,500
Tony Calzetta. I Am Yours, You Are Mine, 2005 mixed media on paper 37" x 43" $3,000
Tony Calzetta. You Art What You Are, 2005 mixed media on paper 40" x 51" $3,000
Tony Calzetta. In Visual Art, Someone Always Has Something to Say, 2008 mixed media on paper 44" x 51" $3,000