Tony Strong: Tributes paid to renowned scenic artist

Tony Strong, who lived in Middleton Stoney near Bicester, died aged 102 on August 10. 

He was the creator of artwork seen in many films, including the tarot cards in the 1973 film Live and Let Die.

He had worked his entire life as a scenic artist for film, TV and theatre, and had  collaborated with many film directors including Stanley Kubrick, Ken Russell, David Lynch and Sidney Lumet.

Working in film and tv for over six decades he started his career at the Royal Opera House and remained in the theatre until the early 1960s when he took a job as a scenic artist in the brand new TV industry.

In 1972, Tony started his own company creating artworks that many will have seen in films and TV shows, collaborating with directors including Stanley Kubrick, Ken Russell, David Lynch, Sidney Lumet and Sir Ridley Scott.

Tony used a huge variety of techniques for his work on over thirty films.

The tarot cards painted by Tony seen in Live and Let Die (Image: Graham Strong)

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Murder on the Orient Express required a 40ft x 1314ft backdrop, but he also painted many portraits including James Stewart for ‘The Big Sleep’.

He created huge colourful advertising billboards in Piccadilly Circus in the 60s, which were also used for Murder on the Orient Express.

Tony Strong in Cornwall aged 25 (Image: Graham Strong) He developed a way of reproducing woven tapestries in paint, designing and painting over 200 of them in the 70s, many of which are still used by film productions and music videos today.

His mum, Gwen was a singer, and his dad, Percy was one of Britain's most sought after cinematographers in the 1920s.

From the age of 10, Tony accompanied Percy to film studios and on location.

He married Joan Chilman, a nurse, in London in 1943 during the blitz. They remained happily married for almost 80 years.

During retirement he painted landscapes and portraits and was a member of North Oxfordshire Arts and Deddington Life Painting.

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Joan and Tony moved to Buckinghamshire in the 50s before settling in Middleton Stoney, where Tony continued to live after Joan's death in 2020.

He swam and cycled almost every day until he reached his mid-90s and during lockdown he got on his scooter and raised around £100,000 for NHS workers.

Tony's Run for Heroes at Middleton Park during the pandemic when he raised £100,000 for NHS workers (Image: Graham Strong) His son, Graham, said: "In almost every conceivable respect, my father led a good, full and active life.

"He sketched and painted until the very end. He remained associated with the film industry throughout his retirement.

"Dad’s legacy of nearly two hundred artworks will live on and his
philosophy on life will remain a touchstone for me, all our family and
many people besides .

"Rest in peace Anthony Percival Strong, a scenic artist, my father, my hero."

Anthony Percival Strong: October 7 1921 -  August 10 2024.