Tony Duran: California
Online Exhibition
JANUARY 8 TO APRIL 25, 2021
“It doesn’t matter what you put in front of my camera- an actor, a model, a musician or a piece of furniture, that subject will leave looking and feeling stronger and more beautiful than it did when it arrived.” - Tony Duran’s Journal 1998
Tony Duran
At his core, Tony Duran is a visionary cinematic portrait photographer. He sees the world through a completely different lens than others. Motivated by building relationships with his subjects, his curiosity and engagement emboldens people to be free of their inhibitions, and insecurities. Duran’s distinctive creative process and collaborative approach allow the subject to take on a freedom of expression and joy of participation that is truly unique. Duran is known for leading people to a vision they never knew was possible, but one that they always aspire towards.
As an obsessive student of history and pop culture, his creative endeavors have defined personalities, catapulted careers and elevated brands across the world. He in no way is limited to one genre of subject matter. As an artist, designer, director, and writer, he has amassed a prolific body of work. Regardless of subject matter, it all retains a very distinct Duran style that is both timeless and intriguing. One can’t help but take pause, take note, and see the beauty in the world differently.
Duran’s work is not based on big production or unneeded artifice. He gets to the core of the subject matter and finds the most intriguing layers to showcase. It is little known that Duran rarely uses lights or sophisticated equipment but relies solely on a single camera and natural light. Duran’s affability, humor, and genuine intrigue with people, leave an indelible mark on his subjects and clients.
His vision for still images, the movement, the character and the storytelling smoothly transitioned into directing. In his film work, it is Duran’s goal to fuse both still and moving imagery in a like voice and impactful result, positioning him to become a true content creator for a new creative environment.
Tony Duran (American, b. 1966), J.Lo Wings, 2003. Digital photograph, giclée print.
Duran’s career began in Australia, where he discovered his life’s calling by chance. It was here that he transitioned from working as a testing photographer to a full-time working artist. Returning to America, Duran got his first break shooting the groundbreaking album packaging for Jennifer Lopez (JLo), On The Six in 1999. This initial project launched Duran into a thriving music industry, shooting the likes of Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, and Jessica Simpson. When these artists turned their visions into multifaceted brands, Tony was there to photograph and capture these momentous times in their careers. Fragrance, clothing labels, restaurants, beauty lines, and accessories became Duran’s focus. This brought Tony to Los Angeles to take on the celebrity market. Duran’s ability to transform and capture celebrities in his own unique fashion resulted in invitations to photograph Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Janelle Monae, Gabrielle Union, Mark Wahlberg, Naomi Watts, and Ricky Martin, to name a few. It is Duran’s decade plus photo relationships with both JLo and Beyoncé that have put an iconic mark on his portfolio. Duran has shot hundreds of covers and editorials for magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Interview, Esquire, Elle, GQ, Rollingstone, Flaunt and Cosmopolitan.
Duran has forayed over the last few years into shooting design and lifestyle-oriented projects such as Kohler, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Jean Louis Denoit for Baker, and the restaurant Barton G., with equally memorable results.
Tony Duran was born and raised in Winona, Minnesota. He lived and worked as a freelance photographer all over the world and now lives in Los Angeles, where he can be found renovating or designing homes. He enjoys the oh too occasional can of cold Spaghetti-Os, watches way too many National Geographic television shows, and is in constant search of creativity and inspiration.
Tony Duran dedicates this exhibition to his loving mother.
This exhibition contains nudity.
Exhibition Support:
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Related Programs:
Live Q & A with TOny Duran
Wednesday, Februrary 10, 6:00-7:00PM CST
Join photographer Tony Duran live via Zoom as he answers questions, and shares stories and inspiration, behind the photographs in his exhibition Tony Duran: California.
Gallery
CLICK THUMBNAILS BELOW FOR FULL IMAGE AND TEXT
(some images contain nudity)
Video
Watch and listen as photographer Tony Duran tells the stories behind a selection of his photographs featured in California.
Some videos contain adult language.
Gallery Installation Photographs
Live Q&A with Tony Duran
Tony Duran joins MMAM Assistant Curator of Education & Exhibitions Dave Casey for a live Q&A to discuss Tony Duran: California. This conversation was recorded over Zoom on February 10, 2021.