Twin passions for keen auto 'artist'

Tony Johnson is a rare example of a person who has combined their artistic talent with their petrolhead nature, and that is showcased in his upcoming exhibition of auto-graphics at Wanganui's Millbank gallery.
Born and bred in Wanganui, Mr Johnson, whose siblings are both involved in the arts, said his skills as a draughtsman came to him as naturally as his obsession with motor vehicles.
Having cut his teeth in the photo-journalism trade, even working in his early days as a photographer for the Chronicle while running a car painting business in Aramoho, he worked for various motoring magazines, including NZ Hotrod as assistant editor, photographer and column writer.
He also wrote the 7-volume manual that is a Bible for car modifiers across New Zealand as the CEO of the LVVTA (Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association).
Having always been an amateur mechanic, Johnson revels in his role as guide and protector of the New Zealand culture of car personalisation, a phenomenon he believes is quintessentially Kiwi.
"Kiwis are extremely clever and resourceful people, and I think because of their background as pioneers in this country, they have always had that DIY spirit, particularly when it comes to motoring. What I do is enable people to carry on that spirit as creatively and safely as they can."
Mr Johnson, who constructs and races drag vehicles, said that far from limiting what people could do to their vehicles, the organisation that he set up worked with the people to set the guidelines, which he said was very different to the restrictive culture in Europe.
"Over there the people that write the rules aren't car lovers, they are government bureaucrats, whereas we are a separate organisation that advise the government. We all modify our own cars so we work with the best interests of the car enthusiast at heart."
Despite never receiving formal training Johnson has pushed his talents, being the sole designer of the t-shirts for Wanganui's cemetery circuit race since 1999, along with many other events.
"I never listened in school, I just sat there drawing and thinking about cars."
His exhibition at the Millbank gallery showcases t-shirt designs from the last 20 years of the Cemetery Circuit in Wanganui, showing his progression from an amateur who designed shirts for mates, to one of the most respected auto graphic designers in the country.
"I am no artist. Ask me to draw anything else and I'd fail, I am just obsessed by motors."
Johnson said that his designs were works of love that speak of his deep connection to Wanganui.
"I love coming back to the city each year and re-connecting with all the old faces, selling my t-shirts in person.
"This is my home, and it touches me to see people wearing my art work."