Woman Crush Wednesday: Alexandra Lethbridge
Matchstick, from the series 'Other Ways of Knowing', 2016 © Alexandra Lethbridge
Interview by Akshit Bhardwaj
Project: Other Ways of Knowing
AB: Are your photographs found images? Could you tell us about the process of finding them?
AL: Some of my images are found photographs but they’re mixed in with my own photographs as well. I find them lots of ways but usually Ebay or flea markets.
AB: Your work has a surrealistic quality to it, could you tell us about a surreal artist that inspired you and how?
AL: I find my inspiration usually comes from outside the art world and I love graphic design so that can have an impact on my work. In terms of surrealist artists, I’d choose the work of Man Ray as a favourite.
(Mis)Direction, from the series 'Other Ways of Knowing', 2016 © Alexandra Lethbridge
AB: What was the concept behind this project?
AL: Other Ways of Knowing looks at what happens when information is withheld and the role that misdirection plays in photography. The series focuses on illusion and misdirection as a visual language.
AB: Could you tell our readers about the decision of using black and white photography with the color red and what does it symbolize?
AL: I read a lot about Colour theory at the time of making the work. I’d also been reading about the automatic cognitive processes our brains go through in making judgements and forming perceptions subconsciously. I wanted to include an element of this in the images themselves so I included the colour red as a nod to the connotations held by the colour and the fact our eyes will be drawn to it, a physical manifestation of misdirection.
The Vow, from the series 'Other Ways of Knowing', 2016 © Alexandra Lethbridge
Victim Number Two, from the series 'Other Ways of Knowing', 2016 © Alexandra Lethbridge
WCW Questionnaire:
AB: Describe your creative process in one word.
AL: Playful.
AB: If you could teach one, the one-hour class on anything what would it be?
AL: I’d run a workshop on experimental image making. I’ve done this before and the results always get you thinking differently.
What is the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?
I just bought the book ‘Everything is Connected – Art and Conspiracy’ as part of research into a new body of work. The book is the catalogue of the New York show on at The Met at the moment.
What is the most played song in your music library?
It’s actually an Indian song by artist Buddhadev DasGupta. I find the music inspiring to work to.
How do you take your coffee?
I don’t! I drink tea, milk, sometimes one sugar depending on what kind of day I’m having.
