In memory of Tyrone Martinsson
Photographer and researcher Tyrone Martinsson has passed away after a period of illness. He was a highly respected colleague and professor at HDK-Valand – as generous as he was attentive, with deep commitment to everything from individual students' projects and PhD candidates' struggles with their dissertations, to the development of both the department and the faculty.
Tyrone's curiosity, integrity, and passionate approach made him a successful researcher. He took great joy in embarking on new investigations and – to the benefit of many – sharing the results of his often adventurous projects. With HDK-Valand as his base, Tyrone created an international and interdisciplinary network that has uniquely contributed to a deeper understanding of the impact of climate change on the glaciers of Svalbard.
The method Tyrone used and further developed was based on historical photographs, which he recreated through a process of re-photography. By comparing the older and newer images, the increasingly rapid and alarming changes became both visible and tangible. But Tyrone did not stop at simply noting the shrinking glaciers—his interest and research also focused on how different forms of visualization could help ensure that knowledge about climate impact leads to action.
In this broader work, not only did his practical skills play a crucial role, but also his deep knowledge in the history of photography, theories of representation, and issues of media and information literacy. The interdisciplinary environments in which Tyrone participated gave him opportunities to test and explore new technologies, and he became an increasingly strong advocate for an expanded view of photography and its role in society.
At HDK-Valand, we are grateful and proud of Tyrone’s contributions as a researcher and teacher, and we will continue to be inspired by his work and his approach.
Niclas Ö²õ³Ù±ô¾±²Ô»å
Professor of Photography and Vice Head of Research