FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PER FRONTH: THE EVOLUTION OF MELANCHOLY

October 7 - November 6, 2010
Opening Reception: Thursday Oct. 7th 6 - 8 pm

In EVOLUTION OF MELANCHOLY - a retrospective exhibition of works by the esteemed Norweigan photographer, Per Fronth addresses the dilemmas facing the Human Condition - a recurring theme in his artistic output. Choosing visually exotic environments as backdrops to discuss contemporary issues, the artist presents his latest series Theatre of War - The ongoing conflict in war-torn Afghanistan -where Fronth spent time with the Norwegian forces participating in the International Security Force ISAF. He is amongst the first artists to be allowed to visit and work in the war-zone.

Known for his large mixed media compositions Per Fronth´s EVOLUTION OF MELANCHOLY, focuses on three major storylines in his artistic production, inspired and drawn from his controversial - and yet successful series Xingu Chronicles ( 1998 ), BLOODLINES ( 2000 ) and Theatre of War ( 2009 ).

US BOOK-RELEASE PRESS PUBLISHING: PER FRONTH
The 304 page book of the artwork of Per Fronth is the largest retrospective volume of his works to date. Introduction by John August Wood and text by Cecilie Tyri Holt.

The book, written in English, with Norwegian as the secondary language, has already sold over
4000 copies in Norway. Already collecting awards; the book won the Diploma for best design in the Norwegian Bookpublishers Association annual competition 2010.

The book will be distributed in the US by D.A.P. Distributed Art Publishers and will be available
online at artbook.com or at dillongallery.com ISBN: 9788275473644 I 

PER FRONTH

Per Fronth is an internationally established Norwegian artist, represented by galleries and museums worldwide. His career with the Dillon Gallery began in 1998 with his first solo exhibition Xingu Chronicles, which quickly established him as a powerful force in contemporary photography. His works are in the permanent collections of Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, Japan; Biblioteque Nationale, Paris; Sørlandet Kunstmuseum, Norway; as well as in numerous private collections. Per Fronth was awarded the title “Nobel Artist 2009” and was selected to create the Nobel Peace Prize Diploma, given in 2009 to US President Barack Obama. Per Fronth holds the honor of being the first photographer given the commission of making the Diploma. In 2009, Norwegian publisher, Press Forlag, published the first monographic survey of Per Fronth´s work, which debuted in New York with the series Evolution of Melancholy, exhibited at the Dillon Galley.

Fronth's acclaimed series, The Xingu Chronicles, Bloodlines and Theatre of War, all document disappearing cultures by using photography as the basis for creating works that are a unique hybrid of painting and photography. Per Fronth is also an award-winning film director. His short films "Ode to a Hunter" (2000) and "Godiva" (2001) have been selected for the official programs for Berlin, Toronto and Sundance film festivals.

 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS 

• 2009 Gallery Trafo, Theater of War, Norway
• 2008 Dillon Gallery, Carbon Compositions, New York
  Galeri Bi-Z, Quattro, Norway
• 2006 Dillon Gallery, New Works, New York
• 2005 Ålesund Kunstforening mms/metaphores, Norway
• 2004 Galleri Bi-Z "/undertow," Norway
• 2002 Dillon Gallery, Exit Christianssand, Oyster Bay, New York
• 2000 Dillon Gallery, Lifedreams, New York City
  Anderson Stewart Fine Art, Bloodlines, London
• 1998 Dillon Gallery, Xingu Chronicles, New York City

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

• Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama Japan
• Sørlandets Kunstmuseum Norway
• Museum of Setesdal Norway
• Farsund Rådhus Norway
• Assuranceforeningen Gard, Arendal Norway
• Fusion Group of Companies, Weston Florida
• Royal Norwegian Consulate General New York