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Ron van Dongen
JANUARY 16, 2001 — FEBRUARY 24, 2001 |
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| Ron van Dongen was born in Venezuela in 1961 but spent his childhood in Warmond, The Netherlands. A heartfelt interest in biology van Dongen attended the Nederlandse Leraren Opleiding in Delft acquiring his degree in Health Sciences and Biology. In 1989, he moved to San Francisco where he revived his scholastic endeavors, only this time to focus on his creative outlet in studying photography at the Academy of Arts College. Under the mentorship of Roger Minick, van Dongen would articulate his skills as a truly fine printer. With regards to subject, van Dongen literally focuses on the complex details of a gardener's haven. His subjects are seemingly common but are indeed often exotic hybrids of flora, which he himself cultivates and nurtures. Comparatively, van Dongen's images are akin to the luxuriousness of Edward Steichen's still-lifes, while breaking beyond the sterile adjunct of Karl Blossfeldt. Coupled with the warm toning of the paper, the resultant images harbor a visual aura, reminiscent of a soft, sweet, lingering fragrance. "...rarely has the infinite mystery of a dahlia or magnolia been visualized with such hushed reverence and elegiac intensity as in the photographs of Ron van Dongen." Jenkins continues, "He shows us the flower as resourceful and delicate, decorative and essential, sacred and sensual, life force and death knell." —Steven Jenkins from "Earthly Delights" the preface for Alba Nero by Ron van Dongen Nazraeli Press ©1999 Ron van Dongen has exhibited in several galleries throughout the United States and in the Netherlands. His work has been featured in such publications as Provacateur, Foto Nederland, and View Camera. Nazraeli Press as well has published two monographs on Ron van Dongen: Alba Nero ©1999 and Vulgaris ©2000. |
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