Jamie Zill Senior Portfolio 2010-11: Artist

http://www.petertonningsen.com/movie.html

Oakland Museum

“Peter Tonningsen (b. 1960) is a fine art photographer and teacher specializing in black and white photography, alternative processes and handmade books. Born and raised in Alameda, California, he returned in 1997 to reside in his hometown after nearly a twenty-year absence. Following a formal education in business and a career in accounting, Peter began studying and making art, earning both his BFA (San Francisco Art Institute) and MFA (San Jose State University) in photography. Peter’s art primarily explores the relationships between history, memory, and place; often revolving around issues or regional sites connected to his childhood. Peter was a recipient of the San Francisco Foundation’s Phelan Award in Photography and is included in several corporate and private collections as well as that of the Oakland Museum. An active adjunct instructor, Peter regularly teaches at the Academy of Art University and has taught at the San Francisco Art Institute, San Jose State University, and in Castlemont High School’s art enrichment program. He also conducts private workshops in photography, bookmaking, and paper marbling. Peter is the proud father of two wonderful boys.”

http://www.petertonningsen.com/movie.html

Biography can be found under “professional” link. His resume can also be found there.

The only interview that I could find requires a purchase of $0.99 and shipment.

I was originally attracted to Peter Tonningsen's series "Flotsam & Jetsam" in relation to looking at individual objects for meaning. Tonningsen brings a new meaning to these objects by the way that they are arranged in relation to other objects. I then discovered his series, "Descent," and became fascinated with the aesthetic of history literally as a background. These collaged prints bring a new, auratic beauty to the dead animals, while also giving information on its history; subtle, yet interesting. Tonningsen tends to work in many different areas, also doing work like photographing his mother's house, children, portraits, scenes, making books, etc. I like his diversity. It shows that you can combine mediums and ideas, and be a more well-rounded artist. For my next step in my project, I will be looking specifically at Flotsam & Jetsam and also Descent for inspiration of documentation of objects.

QUOTES

“Collaged with images of specimens from other departments and information extracted from field notes, histology slides, maps, and scientific texts obtained from MVZ archives, each bird is available for closer scrutiny and speculation about its particular history, story and station in this collection.”

Peter Tonningsen on “Descent”

“This project is about discovery and it calls attention to cycles; things we possess and then discard… the repetitive process of finding, gathering, organizing and revitalizing such debris…I like how these objects take on new context and importance in the form I have adopted. Isolated against a black background, each group harmonizes a color, texture, content, or shape, with each item exposed for closer inspection and conjecture about its particular history and story.”

Peter Tonningsen on “Flotsam & Jetsam”

“Sometimes photography, especially in the digital age, can be a littler too orderly, clean, and mechanical and I long to be more immersed in a tactile dialog with materials and process…motivated by a desire to assemble, honor, and siplay this eclectic collection…”

Peter Tonningsen on “Handmade Books”
All quotes from artist statements of various portfolios. These can be found at http://www.petertonningsen.com/movie.html.