Tony Chirinos is a Venezuelan-born documentary-style artist based in Miami. His career spans over forty years, exploring the theme of mortality and fragility. Chirinos is a recipient of fellowships including the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation (2023), Callanan Excellence in Teaching Award (2019), the South Florida Cultural Consortium (2010), and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation grant (2021) to financially assist in the printing production of his first monograph, “The Precipice.” Mr. Chirinos holds a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University. Trained as a Bio-medical photographer in 1985 at Miami Children’s Hospital, he went on to create the Medical Photography department at Baptist Health Systems in 1989. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including participation in the III Bronx Latin American Art Biennial. His photographic series have been featured in The Washington Post, Photo Eye, Edge of Humanity Magazine, Slate, Daily Mail, Business Insider, and Fotofilmic, among others. Chirinos was among 100 photographers who participated in Review Santa Fe in 2012, 2018, and 2019. His work is included in the collections of Museum of Fine Arts Houston, University of Colorado at Boulder, Candela Collection, Cuban Heritage Collection, Light Work, Photographic Center Northwest, Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, and Mount Sinai Medical Center, among others. Mr. Chirinos is a professor of photography at Miami Dade College.
Tony Chirinos, ‘Scarred’
Left image ‘William’; Center image ‘Michael’; Right image ‘Melany’
I’m deeply fascinated by scars – tangible reminders of life’s challenges, whether chosen or imposed. In my project, I collaborate with individuals to photograph their scars, each with a story. Before each shoot, we discuss the scar’s origins, the subject handwrites a one-page narrative to accompany their photograph. Handwriting is unique to each person, much like a fingerprint or a portrait. These two elements exhibited side by side or in book form, prompt meaningful conversations about life’s complexities. Scars, metaphorically, symbolize the transformative potential of adversity, reminding us that our struggles shape us and present opportunities for growth.
The uniqueness of this project lies in its unconventional approach to portraiture, shifting away from traditional notions of beauty and personality. Instead, the focus is on the subject’s vulnerability, embodied by their scars – each a testament to an individual experience. By capturing aesthetically pleasing images of these scars, the project aims to draw viewers closer to a typically stigmatized subject matter, fostering understanding and acceptance.
My artistic vision stems from the depths of my heart, shaping documentary-style projects that delve into themes of mortality and fragility. Inspired by pioneers who pushed the boundaries, I explore the human condition through visual narratives. Influenced by Susan Sontag’s probing question on the significance of confronting horror in photography, and James Elkins’ insights into perception, my work invites critical examination of our innermost experiences and desires. This ongoing project serves as a personal journey, urging us all to confront the vulnerability inherent in our soft, tender flesh.
