Jorma Puranen (born 1951, Helsinki) has become known for his conceptual
images of northern landscapes and readdressing historical portraits. In his
work he explores the themes of history, culture, identity and memory,
creating a dialogue between the past and the present. Puranen often uses
archive material as his point of departure, but instead of concentrating on
the objects themselves, he studies the reflections, shadows, brushstrokes
and cracks on their surfaces; the layers of uncertainty in between the
object and the viewer. As he writes, 'Photography's capacity to register
reflections is actually its singular gift. What other medium deals so
expressively with the play of light and shadow?'
Jorma Puranen is one of Finland's best known photographers, with his work held in many major international photographic collections. His distinguished career has included a long tenure as Professor of Photography at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki
Jorma Puranen is one of Finland's best known photographers, with his work held in many major international photographic collections. His distinguished career has included a long tenure as Professor of Photography at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki
