Comingtrough (CT): Finally I can enjoy your work by your new official website. Why start now?
Shawn Mortensen (SM): I WANTED TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A BROADER ACCESS TO MY WORK ... & I FINALLY FOUND WEBDESIGNERS WHO WERE UP TO THE CHALLENGE ! HHH
CT: Where is your inspiration from during make shots? Is that spontaneity?
SM: I TRY TO KEEP MY WORK SPONTANEOUS, AUTHENTIC, & INTIMATE.
LEADING UP TO A PORTRAIT OR PHOTO-ESSAY I DO A LOT OF RESEARCH ON MY SUBJECTS & OTHER IMAGES OF THEM. I TRY TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT GIVES AN INFORMED VIEW OF MY SUBJECTS.
CT: Best and worst experienced you have from your job?
SM: THE WORST EXPERIENCE WAS VOMITING BLOOD in 2005 DUE TO STRESS.
THE BEST EXPERIENCE HAS SIMPLY BEEN THE ABILITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO INCREDIBLE PEOPLE, TO HAVE THEIR TRUST, & TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WORLD & DIVERSE CULTURES INTIMATELY.
CT: What do you want to be when 7? Is that occurred in your mind to be an artist in that time?
SM: WHEN I WAS 7 I WAS ALREADY AN ARTIST. I WAS BORN AS AN ARTIST. MY MOM WAS A PAINTER . WHEN I WAS A KID I ALSO WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR, BUT IN AN INTERESTING SORT OF WAY ... CREATING ICONIC IMAGERY OF PEOPLE CAN HAVE A THERAPUDIC EFFECT ON THEM & HOW THEY SEE THEMSELVES !
CT: You said that you are currently at work on your third to be released in 2008. What is it about?
SM: MY 3rd BOOK is ACTUALLY TWO BOOKS I AM WORKING ON CONCURRENTLY; A BOOK ABOUT "THE ZAPATISTA MOVEMENT" WHICH I'VE BEEN WORKING ON SINCE 1994 & THE OTHER IS A SORT OF COMPANION BOOK TO "OUT OF MIND' CALLED 'OUT OF SIGHT' !
CT: In your job, mostly be an advocate influence your artist's job, or the other way?
SM: HAVING BEEN A WITNESS TO MANY OF THE WORST'S PROBLEMS 1st HAND ... I THINK IT'S A NATURAL HUMAN RESPONSE TO SOMEHOW ASPIRE TO WORK AT SOLUTIONS TO THOSE PROBLEMS. AS AN ARTIST, I AM INNATELY AWARE OF HOW MUCH CULTURAL FORCES LIKE MUSIC, FILM, ART, & PHOTOGRAPHY HAS IN INFLUENCING PEOPLE'S OPINIONS & EMOTIONS. ALTHOUGH CREATING ART CAN FEEL LIKE A FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO "MAKE A DIFFERENCE" ... SOMETIMES THE ACTION OF SIMPLY "BEING PRESENT" IS ENOUGH TO AFFECT CHANGE.
HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ENCOURAGED MY PRESENCE WITH MY CAMERA IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO IN 1994 - AS IT WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR A MILITARY MASSACRE - WITH PHOTOJOURNALISTS PRESENT. THAT IS A PRIMARY REASON WHY PHOTOGRAPHERS/ PHOTO-JOURNALISTS ARE FREQUENTLY TARGETS IN CONFLICT ZONES TODAY . PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF HOW INFLUENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY IS ... & HOW EASILY IT CAN BE DISSEMINATED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD !
CT: Which do you prefer; fashion, band/stage, celeb and artist potrait, advertising, or travel photography? BW or color? And why?
SM: I ENJOY ANY OCCASION WHEN I AM ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH PEOPLE IN AN INTIMATE & HOPEFULLY TIMELESS WAY ! I ASPIRE TO "BLUR THE LINES' BETWEEN THOSE DEFINITIONS OR CATAGORIES !
CT: Sometimes, are you interest to make a photosession in Indonesia for your global travel photo-essay?
SM: I AM VERY CURIOUS ABOUT INDONESIA. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND SOME MONTHS THERE !
CT: Who is masterpiece that you want to admit as 'your masterpiece' in this world?
SM: I BELIEVE THAT MY PHOTOGRAPH OF TUPAC SHAKUR IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PORTRAITS ... AS WELL AS BEING BETTER KNOWN ... YET I WOULD NOT CALL ANY OF MY WORKS 'MASTERPIECES'.
CT: Describe Shawn Mortensen in 3 words.
SM: TRIES HIS BEST !
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