Jon Burris is a native Oklahoman who began his interest in photography in his teens. Professionally he has had a career as both a working photographer and a fine art curator operating out of Oklahoma City and functioning for clients internationally. He states that it has been his great opportunity to have worked with many artists who have influenced him like Ansel Adams, Paul Caponigro, Arnold Newman, and Mary Ellen Mark. 

 

“I think I channel all of these artists when I am photographing, whether I am making landscapes, still life studies, or portraits. I learned to appreciate the quality of fine print making when I was around Ansel Adams, the transcendent quality of nature when I was with Paul Caponigro, and not only the importance of ‘humanity’ but the surroundings of a portrait subject’s environment when I was introduced to both Arnold Newman and Mary Ellen Mark. As much as I believe in originality and a personal style, I also believe that the educated and informed artist has an advantage in approaching his or her own work.”

 

Over a 45 year career, Jon has curated over 200 fine art exhibitions, and published seven books on art including: Photographing Oklahoma: Mark Klett, 1989 (The Oklahoma City Museum of Art), New Russian Art: Paintings from The Christian Keesee Collection, 1993 (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, NY), Through An Open Door, Selections from the Robert A. Hefner III Collection of Contemporary Chinese Oil Paintings, 1997 (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, NY), Recollections: Sketches from the Journals of Robert A. Hefner III, 2002 (Portfolio Editions, Oklahoma City), Beijing Days, 2008 (Foreign Languages Press, Beijing), Shanghai Days, 2009 (Foreign Languages Press, Beijing), and At Work: Twenty-five Contemporary Chinese Artists, 2010 (Foreign Languages Press, Beijing). 

  

Jon’s photographs are included in numerous private and institutional collections worldwide. He resides in Edmond, Ok.