Sandra Chen Weinstein

Member Spotlight - March 2020

• Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?

Currently I am living in Southern California and have been there since 1997. I moved to San Francisco shortly after my employment with the US­ Embassy, where I lived in Beijing, China, Fukuoka, Japan, Taipei, Taiwan, Washington D.C. and Alberta, Canada. I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan and lived there after my college years. I was very fortunate to be able to travel and live in many countries of the world and to learn cultural diversity from East to West.

• Why did you join TPS, and how long have you been involved?

I was always very curious about and aware of the world of photographic art. I noticed some artists and opportunities for photographers, such as contest calls by the highly-respected non-profit Texas Photographic Society. In 2008 the TPS president was D. Clarke Evans. I was interested in learning about the people and culture of Texas and coincidentally I happened to be showing my work “CHINA, TRANSFORMATION” at FotoFest Houston 2008. D. Clarke Evans was very helpful and was committed to promoting and engaging with the photographic art community. I was one of the artists in the print program of 2009. I have a deep gratitude to TPS for offering such wide opportunities. I have been awarded distinguished prizes in several juried national, themed, member and international shows since joining.

• Why did you become a photographer? / What do you like about photography?

I am a self-taught photographer and only became serious about photography when some of my photos, taken on a trip in 1995 to Inner Mongolia, were awarded by the International Photography Award (IPA) in 2006 and National Geographic Magazine International Contest in People category in 2007. I took the photos with a Kodak plastic film camera bought from a local vendor long before the age of digital cameras. I moved to photography as my medium of art in 2007. Photography is the most effective tool in self-discovery, vision and communication. It also has huge potential to expand one's own circle of knowledge and perception that connects us globally. The challenge is how to craft our photography in a way that makes real changes and provides the possibility for hope.

• Where or from whom do you find inspiration or motivation for your work? / Do you have a mentor?

At the beginning of my photography career, I was inspired by Sebastião Salgado (Workers: An Archaeology of the Industrial Age; Sahel: The End of the Road), Eli Reed (Black in America), Steve McCurry (Portraits; India) and Susan Meiselas (Carnival Strippers). The master photographer Eli Reed of Magnum Photos was my first mentor. I met him in his workshop; he was impressed by my work and invited me to be his personal assistant in 2007-2008. During that time I learned immensely by watching his method of seeing life through the lens. Afterward I was selected to attend the Magnum Photos photography workshop in The Netherlands and London twice. Interestingly, when I applied, I was the only U.S. participant to be selected among hundreds of U.S. and international photographers. I had an unforgettable expedition to India with Steve McCurry and the experience led me back to India again later with my own adventure.

• How would you describe your photography and/or working process?

I have a great passion for diversity in both people and communities. My photography emphasizes the human condition in society, culture, politics and identity. I am usually working multiple projects at the same time. I find my inspiration when I do not seek it - when it comes it is often quite spontaneous and in the moment. Everything can be inspiring to me. I am more interested in working on something that people rarely see and I try to avoid the themes that have been over-explored or degenerated into cliché.

• What work are you most proud of?

I am proud of my work because the process and experience each time has been unique. My work ranges from African refugees in Texas to diverse and colorful cultures in India, Native Americans celebrating their spiritual traditions in Pow Wow, finding the truth and resilience of Palestinians by traveling to the West Bank by myself and California’s urban and American culture. However, I would say I am proudest of the work that has been the most difficult to photograph. For example, my portfolio "TRANSCEND" is about love and is inspired by my child, who at 28 years of age, came out and decided to use the pronoun they a few years ago.

• Please tell us about your most recent photographic project or body of work.

In recent years I have been focused on my personal project “SHE/They”, “TRANSCEND” and a couple of newer and unpublished works. Selections of “SHE/They” have been exhibited in museums, galleries and featured in The European magazine. “TRANSCEND” has been invited to Mt. Rokko Photographic Garden Fair and Mirage Gallery in Japan. Another photo series entitled, “Butterfly Love,” is about life, changes and hopes against the struggles by environmental impact. This is my first time using pattern and color of living butterflies and transforming by photo editing to achieve fine art photography. “Butterfly Love” will make its first appearance in a public exhibition at the Washington Printmakers Gallery in Washington D.C. from February 27 - March 29, 2020.