Shawn Mortensen Obituary

MORTENSEN, Shawn Shawn passed away on April 15th, 2009 after suffering complications from a long term illness. He was born November 14th, 1965 to John and Maureen Mortensen. He graduated from El Toro H.S. in 1984 and went on to Orange Coast C.C., and then to USC where he majored in art and film. Shawn was a Los Angeles based photographer, artist, director and activist. His iconic photographs have been exhibited at New York's Whitney Museum, The Guggenheim Museums and The J. Paul Getty Museum. He also won an MTV video music award. A global traveler, Shawn captured the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, MX; documented the dancehalls and shantytowns of Kingston, Jamaica, the people of Mongolia, Ethiopia, South Africa and Nigeria. Shawn simply didn't go to these far lands to take photographs, he was an activist. He was involved in AIDS awareness going to South Africa, Lagos and Nigeria to collaborate with the REDHOT organization, just one of the many organizations he helped. His photographs gave the subject a sense of dignity no matter who it was, be it a celebrity, a socialite or an AIDS orphan. That ability came from his incredible sense of humility. During his lifetime he completed two books, "It's My Life...Or It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" published by BAPE Gallery/Bathing Ape in 2002 and his second book, "Out of Mind," published May 2007 by Harry N. Abrams. He was working on a third book about the Zapatista Movement since the movement's 1994 inception when he began documenting it. Always ahead of the curve. He is survived by his father John Mortensen, Central Point, OR; mother and stepfather Maureen and Hank Hilbun, Redmond, WA; brother and sister-in-law Chris and Ashley Mortensen, Anderson, SC; brother Joe Mortensen, Carlsbad, CA; sister Melissa Mortensen, Paris, FR as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends, from all walks of life, the world over. At the request of his family, please do not send flowers. Instead, make any charitable donations to charities helping AIDS orphans in Africa and throughout the world. A celebration of Shawn's life will be held at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood, CA from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight today, Thursday, April 23rd, 2009. ricardomontalbantheatre.info shawnmortensen.org

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Apr. 23, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Shawn Mortensen

5 Entries

Steve Knezevich

May 19, 2009

Shawn and I worked together and were friends for many years.

please go here to read a story about Shawn:

http://www.stevekdanceparty.com/sm.html

I miss Shawn greatly already and will continue to for a long time. I hope his has found some Peace considering how hard he fought for it throughout his life.

jennefer rossi

May 18, 2009

oh shawn mortensen... one of the nicest men i have ever met. a man i wanted my two girls to meet, my husband to meet.
me to meet again. i am at a loss of expression. i am deeply sad and sorry i will not be planning that trip to la for him to show us around. i feel lucky he came into my life and i was able to experience his fervor for life, for cause...i will miss you shawn i miss you shawn."Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life we pass and speak one another, Only a look and a voice; then darkness again and a silence."

Wendy Hays (Hilbun)

April 27, 2009

I knew my Uncle Shawn for only a short while. We spoke on the phone a time or two, but he always sent messages of love through my grandparents, Hank and Maureen. I am so proud of the man he came to be. Because of him, so many things can change for the good. He will be missed dearly.

Stephen Hilbun

April 25, 2009

I came to know Shawn when my father married his mother in the summer of 1981. It has been a privilege and an honor to have known as well as be related to a man of his accomplishment and caliber. God speed...

Jennifer Morales

April 23, 2009

Soulmate is a term sometimes used to designate someone with whom one has a feeling of deep and natural affinity, love, intimacy, spirituality, and/or compatibility. A related concept is that of the twin flame or twin soul – which is thought to be the ultimate soulmate, the one and only other half of one's soul, for which all souls are driven to find and join.
I am honored Shawn considered me one of his.
May Peace come to you soon.

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