In this episode, John sits down with Sean Mundy, a conceptual photographer, musician and digital artist from Montreal, about his creative process and the evolving art landscape. Sean describes his work as conceptual photography and digital manipulation, where the idea is the most important part. He shares how his process starts with a sketch in a notebook and ends with meticulous digital work, using tools like Blender to bring his concepts to life. Sean also discusses the debate around what defines a "real" photograph in the age of digital tools and AI, and he is transparent about his own use of composites.
Sean reflects on his artistic journey, from using a digital Polaroid as a teenager to dropping out of commercial photography school because he felt he was already ahead of the curriculum. He candidly shares the struggles of transitioning to a full-time artist, a decision he made about two and a half years ago. Despite the stress, he feels a sense of validation when he gets a gig or a sale, which reassures him that he's on the right path.
John and Sean also dive into the world of Web3 and NFTs. Sean explains that he was drawn to the NFT space because it reminded him of the tight-knit online art communities he was part of on platforms like Flickr and DeviantArt. He views the space as another community to engage with that also offers a financial benefit. They conclude that in a world where AI can produce images instantly, the story, effort, and commitment behind an artist's work are what truly makes it valuable to collectors.
