The power of social entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is a really powerful way to help people out of poverty and exclusion.
To contribute to sustainable social development among the most vulnerable.
Through good training and mentoring. Together with small financial resources. It is transforming the living conditions for both individuals and societies.
Where poverty holds people as an hostage and often break families.
It empowers people and communities towards recovery and sustainable change.
In a way that restores people and spreads the Kingdom of God according to the righteous fasting described in Isaiah 58.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
Isaiah 58:6-12 (NIV).
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —
when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
The story behind the vision.
Since around 2016, I have envisioned utilizing photo art to promote social entrepreneurship. Subsequently, I have become acquainted with several individuals who actively engage in this work on Christian principles, yielding highly positive outcomes, primarily focusing on spreading God’s kingdom.
The story behind this vision is as follows:
Prior to this, I had gained experience as a professional sports photographer, covering notable events such as two NHL games in Los Angeles in 2013, the 2014 IIHF Junior World Championship in Malmö, the Floorball World Cup 2014 in Gothenburg, and the UEFA Euro 2016 (in France).
However, my local sports photography assignments ceased in the summer of 2016.
In November of the same year, I experienced a severe fatigue syndrome, commonly referred to as burnout, which significantly impacted my health for several years and subsequently affected my ability to sustain my business (further elaborated later in the text).
In 2018, I captured moments from 10 matches over 35 days of travel at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Due to the light workload, this venture essentially transformed into a sponsored holiday, funded by the proceeds from the licensed images, which were then published worldwide by prominent entities like Sports Illustrated, The Guardian, Huffington Post, and various other global newspapers. Notably, my work also licensed by TV channels such as BBC, ESPN, and several national television channels in the USA, effectively marking the conclusion of my career as a sports photographer.
In 2019, I initiated the construction of my first webshop for photo art, initially emphasizing sports photography under the name “Action-art” This led to the registration of the domain name https://action-art.store/.
2020 – The first international competition award
In December 2020, I achieved my first international competition award, a “Gold award” from the Budapest International Photo Awards 2020, specifically in the Events/Sports category, with the featured image above. A few weeks later, the Lord revealed to me the prophetic significance of the image and how it was co-created by the Lord and me when I was working from a place of rest and peace.
Subsequently, I garnered a total of seven distinct international awards, all featuring images of surfers captured on the same day. For more details on how these images came into being in collaboration with God. All international awards. You will find the testimony of how God created the pictures together with me here.
All international awards.
Awards from international competitions
Gold Award – Budapest International Photo Awards 2020 in the category events/sport.
Silver Award – Budapest International Photo Awards 2021 in the category events/sport.
Silver Award – Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris – PX3 2022 in the class Press/Sports .
Bronze award – Budapest International Photo Awards 2021 in the category Editorial/sports.
Bronze Award – Tokyo International Foto Awards 2021 in the category Nature / Trees .
Bronze Award – Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris – PX3 2022 in the class Nature / Trees .
Honorable Mention – Budapest International Photo Awards 2023 in the Press /Sports category.
Honorable Mention – Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris – PX3 2022 in the Press /Sports category.
Honorable Mention – Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris – PX3 2023 in the Press/Sports category.
2 Honorable Mentions – Tokyo International Foto Awards 2021 in the classes Editorial /sports & Events / sport.
2 Honorable Mentions – Budapest International Photo Awards 2021 in the classes Nature / Aerial & Events/sports.
2 Honorable Mentions – Moscow International Photo Awards 2021 in classes the events/sport & Nature / Aerial.
Other awards
12 photos have been awarded by the main curators of the curated gallery One Exposure/1x.com.
(There, less than one percent of all photographers who apply to be published in the One Exposure gallery, that get awarded by the head curators).
The international awards provided new opportunities
After securing my initial competition prizes, I realized the potential for targeting the art collector market, where an artist’s “CV” holds significant weight. This is because art is not merely acquired for space decoration but is also viewed as a prospective investment, with the expectation that its value will appreciate over time. In 2022, the global market for art and antiques was estimated to have a turnover of $67.8 billion, with approximately 16% of sales occurring online. For those seeking an in-depth understanding of the art market, I recommend perusing the report from Art Basel and UBS available at https://theartmarket.artbasel.com.
Delving further into the fine art photography market, I made the decision to offer my award-winning images printed on fine art photo paper in small limited editions. These prints are signed and numbered on the back and accompanied by signed and numbered certificates of authenticity, all designed to appeal to art collectors.
The aim is to enhance the value of these art prints, although I am unable to, and do not intend to, guarantee any future increases in their value.
Nevertheless, it is my earnest aspiration, accompanied by regular prayer, that those investing in these art prints will see their investments multiply significantly over time.
A renewed/”updated” vision
Around two years ago, during a prayer session with a prophet, I received a directive to establish a foundation and involve more individuals in this endeavor, aiming to create a sustainable venture. The goal is to facilitate support for social entrepreneurship, aligning with the principles of a righteous fast before God, as outlined in Isaiah 58. This guidance prompted my recent acquisition of the domain name isa58.art, where ‘Isa’ represents the English abbreviation for the prophet Isaiah, thereby connecting to Isaiah 58.
The vision entails establishing an international online marketplace and gallery for Christian artists who are dedicated to promoting social entrepreneurship as a means of uplifting people out of poverty and vulnerability towards a life of dignity. This structure operates on the principle of equal income distribution between the gallery and the participating artists, a common practice within galleries.
The foundation for this project is firmly rooted in the scriptural exhortation regarding a righteous fast, emphasized in Isaiah 58:6-12 (as referenced above).
Moving Forward – “Action Plan”
Given the challenges I faced due to prolonged periods of compromised health stemming from the severe exhaustion syndrome I experienced in November 2016, it has become imperative for me to generate a profit of 160,000 SEK (approximately €13,600, £12,000, $14,600) from the sale of art prints in order to settle my debts. Additionally, a further 50,000 SEK is required to establish a new limited company (under the working name ISA58) entirely dedicated to the vision of “ISA58.art.” Consequently, the total funding required amounts to 210,000 SEK (equivalent to approximately €18,000, £15,700, $19,000).
Once this financial milestone is accomplished, I intend to allocate 50% of the profits from future sales of my photo art to the advancement of social entrepreneurship.
In the short term, the primary focus is on clearing the debts as mentioned earlier and initiating a company devoted to realizing the vision. Looking ahead, the overarching goal is to effect tangible, positive change in the lives of individuals facing exceptionally vulnerable circumstances. This is where I seek your assistance in order to extend support to others in need.
An Initiative to Attain the Objective – “Buy Two, Pay for One”
Until I accumulate sufficient funds to establish a separate limited business, (Aktiebolag in Swedish), for isa58.art, all purchasers of my art prints will receive prophetic coaching/consultation/intercession valued at the same amount as the art print itself, in essence, adhering to a “buy two, pay for one” model. This campaign is primarily tailored for Christian entrepreneurs who prioritize advancing God’s kingdom. The initiative will remain in effect until I am in a position to launch a Limited Company specifically dedicated to isa58.art.
Once the targeted goal is achieved, 50% of the profits will be directed towards the vision’s objective – supporting social entrepreneurship, while the remainder will enable me to serve people in the prophetic free of charge.
The campaign will run for the shortest feasible duration until the 25th of December.
(if the goal of 210,000 Sek is achieved before December 25th, the campaign will continue until Christmas day).
Subsequent to the conclusion of the campaign, the duration of the consultation included with the purchase of the art prints will be reduced by half.
How You Can Assist Me in Helping Others.
Given the constraints that prevent me from allocating financial resources to marketing, your support in extending the reach of this vision and connecting with prospective buyers for the photography art prints is crucial. I am seeking individuals who not only appreciate the fine art prints and the opportunity for prophetic consultation/intercession/coaching. But also sees the value in social entrepreneurship as a way to spread God’s love and extend God’s kingdom to vulnerable and oppressed fellow human beings.
Beyond the evident step of purchasing one of my art prints at isa58.art, your impactful contributions can extend through your intercessory prayers, as well as by disseminating my vision to individuals who are likely to resonate with the purpose of using art in conjunction with social entrepreneurship to fulfill God’s intentions.