Shawna, originally from Canada, moved to Mexico City with her son in 2009. She has been involved in numerous art projects but it wasn’t until recently that she began to take time for her own personal work. Her video art has been recognized and exhibited internationally and has played an important role in her recent exploration in photography.
1- When did you decide to pursue art/Photography as a career? I never really decided, it just happened. I’ve had a camera with me pretty much as long as I can remember. The artistic photography I’m doing now started later for me because I had been busy surviving with promotional and documentary work for other projects, but mostly I think I was just scared of making art. I didn’t value my way of seeing, or what I might have to share.
2- What are your goals as an artist? Constant discovery. My goal is to keep developing my artistic interests. I’ve really been enjoying the motion portrait sessions because there is a lot of room for improvisation which makes me feel more involved, and the results fascinate me. They´re also intimate moments with people that would never occur otherwise.
3- What's your favorite place to developed your ideas? Anywhere that allows solitude.
4- Where in the world is your favourite place to see art? The street.
5- What exhibit, have you seen within the last year, has most influenced you? It’s not really an exhibit... can I say Instagram? Also Pinterest. I am learning so much about me and my interests. They are places (or virtual spaces) where a lot of reflection happens for me. I find it curious what I love and what I really don’t like at all. I didn’t know how much I love abstract expressionism until browsing Instagram. And I discovered asemic writing in Pinterest which has given me new ideas on drawing and communicating.
I could also say my neighbour’s home. She’s a painter and her home is full of her paintings, each a part of her, and her story. Visiting her always reminds me to believe in my blurry world.
6- Do you collect anything? I used to collect all kinds of things. Nothing now. Although I am pondering the idea of pressing flowers which is something I did when I was a kid, and I’d collect rocks if I had space to put them.
7- If you could choose anyone to see your work, who would he or she be? Ruth Bernhard or Alejandra Pizarnik.
8- What was the greatest compliment anyone has ever paid to you, regarding your artwork? “You read me. I don’t know how. But you read me .”I get that kind of comment a lot actually and it always surprises me, it makes me feel like I did something right.
9- In which walls would you like to see your work exposed in 10/20 years. I guess I really don’t care.
10. Last one, Who would you love to see answering this same questions? Alejandra Alarcón.
