John M. O'Toole

John M. O'Toole is a photographer and bookmaker living in Brooklyn. He graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Photography in 2011. He works as a digital photography technician in the Photography Department at Pratt. He has exhibited work in Brooklyn, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Italy, England, Ireland and Finland. He is also the editor-in-chief and founder of Oranbeg Press.

Diaspora Statement 

This work focuses on Irish culture in America and the significance that Irish identity holds for older immigrants, like my father and extended family, in relation to the younger first generation, like myself, and those not of Irish descent. "Diaspora" means a group of people who live outside the area in which they had lived for a long time or in which their ancestors lived.

Oranbeg Press

In 2011, I started Oranbeg Press, an independent publisher based in Boston, MA and Brooklyn, NY. Oranbeg's books are a mixture of artist created zines, photobooks, online media, and collaborative works. Our main goal is to promote the idea of "what is a book?" We use a variety of printing methods, unconventional materials and ideas of bookmaking to further a growing dialogue. In addition to books, Oranbeg Press has other publishing projects like Interleaves, Beta project and NET the online exhibition program. In July, I will be putting on an event called Across the Gutter, a series of exhibitions, events, and a pop up Siopa Leabhar/Bookshop.  To learn more about Oranbeg Press and its other projects, visit http://oranbegpress.com.