John Tunney
– July 10, 2013
Opening reception June 13, 2013 7 PM
Members gallery talk John Tunney, 6:15 PM
Gallery talk by Heidi Kirk Patrick at 6:45 PM.
During a visit to the New England Aquarium in Boston several years ago, photographer John Tunney was inspired by the jellyfish exhibit.
“It was mesmerizing,” he says. “They project such a strong sense of being. It was like watching an otherworldly ballet.”
Returning to the aquarium many times, Tunney has taken hundreds of pictures of the jellyfish.
A series of his photographs, Jellyfish, is featured in the Atelier Gallery at the Griffin Museum June 13 through July 10. An opening reception with the artist is June 13, 7-8:30 p.m.
Tunney says taking the photographs is just the beginning of the process. Each image undergoes extensive editing. In some, he removes all colors, stripping the image down to black lines and gray shadings, and then selectively re-introduces color, altering the hue and saturation as needed.
The images are printed with pigment ink on 100 percent cotton rag.
“Far from traditional nature photography, the resulting pictures are expressive abstractions that not only capture the exotic beauty of these ethereal creatures, but also convey the sense of wonder that comes from observing them,” Tunney explains.
A resident of Cape Cod, he is a freelance photographer and frequent exhibitor in New England art shows. He also teaches photography classes and workshops.
Tunney gives a gallery talk about his exhibit, Jellyfish, for museum members at 6:15 p.m. June 13, prior to the opening reception for all exhibits.