Jonah Calinawan (b.1969) is the cyanotype artist behind A Million Suns. In this work, Jonah creates surreal images that explore ideas relating to identity, choice, free will, and destiny. Jonah is an accountant turned artist. He holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and is about to complete his MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Jonah currently lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
An accountant for over 20 years, Jonah bought his first camera in 2002 and started self-learning photography. He attended a photography workshop in 2008 where the instructor suggested he pursue an MFA degree. After two years of contemplation, he took the plunge in 2010 and enrolled at the Academy of Art University.
About to complete his MFA in May 2014, he is continually amazed at the unintended path that he embarked on. It has changed the trajectory and shape of his life. He metaphorically explores this journey in A Millions Suns, an ongoing photographic series that tells the story of one man’s search for his future.
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Photography, Academy of Art University,
Exhibition
2015
Alternative Process Group Show, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois. (Upcoming: Jan/Feb 2015)
2014
Of Memory, Bone and Myth, HONORABLE MENTION, Juror: Maggie Taylor, Rourke Art Museum, Moorehead, Minnesota.
Imagined Realities, Jurors: Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison, Online Gallery & Exhibition Book, PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont.
2013
This is Not Photography Exhibition, Society for Photographic Education, Mid-Atlantic Conference, Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Alternative Processes Competition, Juror: Jill Enfield, Soho Photo Gallery, New York, New York.
Finalist, Photolucida Critical Mass, Portland, Oregon
2011
Transferred: Alternative Processes in Photography, Juror: Regina Deluise, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, Virginia.
Food Exhibition, Juror: David Bram, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Colorado.
2010
Semi-finalist, Up & Coming Category, Hasselblad Masters Worldwide Competition
艺术家陈述
在当下时空中所构建的想象世界，“亿万恒星”是一个人与未知对峙而走上的自我探索之旅。当遇见地面上的一条裂缝，本就承受高压的生存便分崩离析。这一发现触动一系列的事件，让他到达地球的边界，迫使他面对或者注定或者随机的命运。在这个混合了自传真实和虚构的故事中，我考问人类在面对未知将来时永远的对意义和希望的求索。
我们曾经仰望星空以神化将来。现在，我们又如何认知将来？会有某种标识或者某种信号吗？
我们从此路出发，却总是于彼路到达。每个选择都改变了我们生命的形状和轨迹。这里隐藏着一个伟大的秘密：我们所踏上的旅途没有地图——它随着我们的旅程而逐渐合成。如此，我们既是旅行者又是绘图员，我们既是起点，也是终点。
在内心的探索中，旅途的意义其实是关于改变表面的既定路线，进入亿万恒星的未知领地。
技术要点：使用拼贴，蒙太奇重建影像。每张作品都先以透明底片冲印，继而以此制作数字负片，再以蓝印法接触印像于艺术相纸。这种19世纪工艺所制造出的令人迷醉的蓝于此系列所描绘的故事中传递出自省的氛围。