About the Artist
© 2011 AnnMarie Tornabene
Biography (b.1969)
From the beginning of my photographic career, I gravitated to the portrait over any other subject matter. I chose physically attractive men and women to photograph, wanting to capture their beauty immortally on film, for, as an overweight woman, I wished to possess, in some way, that kind of beauty that was considered ideal by society’s standards. Upon talking to my subjects, however, many of them did not feel confident in their appearance, pointing out flaws that I did not see. With that knowledge, began my questioning of what was beautiful and decided to see, from an objective view – the camera’s – whether or not I was. I then sought out to photograph my self as I wanted to be seen – beautiful. Through encouragement by my peers, as well as my then new job as an artists’ model, a confidence grew within me and the act of photographing myself took precedence.
As time went on, I began to evolve and, in turn, that led my image making to change direction pointing more inward as I now look to resolve other personal issues in my life. My work has taken on a more narrative approach, including mythological, romantic and fairy-tale themes.
Inspiration comes from many events that occur in my life. There are specific artists and art movements that inspire me always, though. They include the art of Julia Margaret Cameron, Lewis Carroll, the Pre-Raphaelites, and Romanticists. It is in a lot of these works that beautiful imagery appeared to be the focus. Looking closer, however, one can see more meaning beyond the surface. I see my photographs as a parallel as I try to tackle personal struggles and traumas without the aggressive quality that is found in much contemporary work.
I am committed to the process of self-portraiture and to grow within each body of work I create. I graduated from Long Island University/CW Post with a BFA in Photography, Magna cum Laude. I am an award-winning artist exhibiting and publishing my work internationally, as well as being reviewed in The New York Times, Newsday, and other publications and Internet venues. I am included on several art blogs, and have been interviewed by women’s organizations on the topic of body image in contemporary society. Essays and prose have been written as reactions to her photographs. My photographs are in several personal collections in the US, Canada and the UK.
(above photo by Chris Lynn)
I would like to thank some special people for being my support group all of these years and whom have helped me evolve creatively and spiritually:
Christopher Lynn, Joan Harrison, Bernice Halpern-Cutler, Ron Hammond, Dr. Stephen Lamia, and all of my models and assistants who have helped my visions come to fruition.
A very special thank you goes to my husband for his endless support and unconditional love. I love you, Albie.
Please click here for my curriculum vitae.
All photographs copyrighted AnnMarie Tornabene. Rights reserved. Do NOT use for any reason without permission of the artist. These images are of low resolution only.