Walo Thönen was born in 1950 and grew up in Schaffhausen (Switzerland). Now living in Caslano/Ticino, married to Evi Eichenberger. Together they have a son Reto.
His curriculum vitae:
1966 He buys his first SLR-camera and begins his apprenticeship as an optician in Stein am Rhein.
1970 Starts his traveling years and furthers his education.
Places of residence:
Geneva, Lugano,Stockholm, St.Gallen and Olten.
1979 After his last exam for his Master's of Optics he goes back
to Lugano.
1982 After car accident, with grave consequences, he retires from his career.
Since then he lives in Caslano (Ticino) and St. Rémy de Provence (France).
1984 Starts visiting workshops In Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Spain and Czech Rep.
1986 Opens his own photo studio in Caslano.
After his participation in various competitions around the world. He receives first prize in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, USA also his work appears in several publications of magazines and books.
Several exhibitions in Switzerland, Germany, France and Czech. Rep.
1999 Photographer of the year in PhotoSuisse. With his club FC Lugano wins the Swiss championship.
Several times winning the Color- and B/W-sections.
Teaching in nude-seminaries in Ibiza, Lanzarote, (Spain), Germany, Czech.Rep. and Switzerland
2001 Now uses also digital cameras. He specializes in
Nude-and Erotic-photography.
2003 Abandoning analog- and darkroom-techniques. Works fully digital.
2004 Next exhibition in Lucerne (Switzerland) together with Martin Zurmühle.
For Walo Thönen the picture is a way to communicate.
