For Johnny Depp there has always been art. Before acting, and before music, art has always been an important outlet for his creativity. And, whenever he is filming, art provides his ‘release’ away from the camera; a sanctuary where he can quietly express himself.
Hundreds of paintings now illustrate Johnny’s path through life, from early paintings of his mother, then his family, to more recent ones expressing his emotions; his art tells his story.
Until recently, Johnny kept his art to himself, his family, and his closest friends. Not allowing anyone beyond his immediate circle to see what he had painted. He has huge respect for art and was reluctant to push himself into the art world, particularly by appearing to exploit his success as an actor to promote his work. But he now recognises, "What I did was I limited myself and that's something no one should ever do".
The Bunny Man was inspired by Johnny’s five year old son Jack, who after waking from a nightmare about the character, was comforted by his father’s explanation.
The Bunny Man can be interpreted as a fearsome vision. But look closer, he can also be seen as an inseparable friend, even a shamanic warrior at the doorway between reality and imagination. Johnny sees him as powerfully standing with a sword of truth, guarding the heart, and delivering through all adversity where, above all, The Bunnyman becomes whoever he needs to be.
Johnny realised this iconic figure on a large canvas, and it has since come to symbolise both him and his work. As such it is being registered as a global trademark. Where The Bunny Man appears with Johnny’s initials it represents an additional guarantee of authenticity beyond his handwritten signature.
