I used to experiment with all kinds of papers and liquids to achieve the tone and the softness in the images I liked so much. Now that I´m taking images on my large format camera (8X10") and making platinum/palladium contact prints as well as working with the fascinating Bromoil process, I feel equipped to produce images the way I prefer.
I care very much about the workmanship in my work, that is why I always process my film and hand print the image myself. I enjoy spending long hours in the darkroom, it is my meditation. I let my imagination run free and sometimes the images come out compleatly different to my expectations,which for me, keeps the photography process fresh and exciting.
I prefer to deal with each project as it comes, let things happen, trust my insight and then take it from there. It is a great feeling when I believe that I´ve managed to capture an image in a way that depicts the atmosphere I experienced while taking the shot.
My images are not necessarily meant to reflect stark reality, but to show what I feel each time I take them. It´s not easily explained but one must decide whether they are a part of a fairytale, memories, dreams or simply a self reflection.
It is my wish that my work brings forward positive emotions.
Jóna Þorvaldsdóttir
From the photographer
Exhibitions:
2013 Kennedy Gallery, North Bay, Canada www.kennedygallery.org Camera Frontera, a Festival of Contemporary Photography
2011 Galleri Gersemi, Borgarnes, Iceland www.gallerigersemi.is
2010 Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Iceland www.ljosmyndasafnreykjavikur.is
2008 Galleri Sævar Karl, Reykjavik, Iceland
2006 Galleri Luxfera, Warsaw, Poland
2006 Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Iceland
2004 Hafnarborg, The Hafnarfjordur Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Iceland www.hafnarborg.is
2003 Galleri Fold, Reykjavik, Iceland www.gallerifold.is
2003 Cafe Mocca, Reykjavik, Iceland
2000 Warsaw Voice, Warsaw, Poland
Education:
2010-2012 Water color painting, Reykjavik School of Visual Art
2011 Bromoil Workshop with David W. Lewis in Iceland
2011 Contempory Photography, University of Iceland
2010 History of Art, University of Iceland
2009 Bromoil Workshop with David W. Lewis in Oregon, USA
2008 Introduction to Alternative processes, Brenton Hamilton, Main Media Workshop, USA
2006 Workshop with Mary Ellen Mark, Oaxaca, Mexico
2003 Inspiration, workshop with Izabela Jaroszewska, Iceland
2001 Oil painting, Reykjavik School of Visual Art
2001 Handmade photograph, Elisabeth Opalenic, Main Media Workshop
2000 Colours and Forms, workshop with Marco Modic, Ljubljana, Slovenia
1997-2000 Warsaw School of Photography, Warsaw,Poland. Private lessons with Marian Schmidt and Izabela Jaroszewska.
1986 Graduated from The Commercial College of Iceland