Set against the backdrop of the American West, The Color of Money and Trees explores the connection between self-identity and how society defines success. As we navigate the interplay between personal aspirations and the expectations of the world around us, the project challenges the relentless pursuit of achievement in our capitalist landscape, where its value is often measured in monetary terms. For some, wandering is an expression of freedom, while for others, it signals a pivot away from responsibility. Responding to encounters with those who deviate from the conventional path, the narrative unfolds as a speculative road movie, blurring the line between reality and imagination.
Tony Dočekal
Tony Dočekal (1992, Amsterdam) is a photographer and visual artist whose work focuses on identity, belonging, and the shared human condition. Her practice is shaped by encounters with individuals and communities on the road, with a particular interest in the resilience and adaptability of people living on society’s margins.
Her first monograph, The Color of Money and Trees, explores the tension between material success and deeper fulfillment, asking if true prosperity lies in community and self-awareness rather than wealth and possessions. The series includes Chad on Skid Row, which won the Zilveren Camera Portrait Award in 2021, and Lyric at El Pais, a portrait of a young girl living off the grid in Arizona. The work navigates the balance between societal expectations and individual freedom.
Tony’s debut short film, Pearls on Credit, reflects on how personal identity is shaped by broader economic systems and societal expectations. Shown alongside an installation of The Color of Money and Trees at Biennale Images Vevey, it deepens Tony’s exploration of the pressures individuals face in navigating these structures.
Tony holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from ArtEZ University of the Arts and has received recognition, including the Olympus Young Talent Award and De Burgemeester de Bruinprijs.
