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INTERVIEW

November 26, 2021

AUSFLAG

Photography by Alan Thexton
Interview by Melanie Meggs

Alan Thexton grew up and spent most of his early life life living in, and photographing around Melbourne, often shooting on the street. Alan's photographs are mostly candid shots reflecting elements of everyday life.

In this interview Alan shares his collection of photographs featuring the Australian Flag. The Australian flag has been the subject of considerable debate over recent times, perceived as subservient amidst claims that the Union Jack symbolises the historical origin of the Australian people that is highly disrespectful to the Indigenous Australians. With the Australian flag increasingly merchandised, printed on a pair of thongs, a T-shirt, a towel or underwear, Alan is exploring what the flag means to Australians and poses the question..."What does it really represent?"

“Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, I saw our country change from largely a British influenced culture to a more independent and outward looking one. The way we use our flag appears to have also changed, and has even become a commercial product. When January 26th approaches, we see variations of the Australian flag plastered all over the merchandise of towels, hats, T-shirts, beer stubbies, thongs, and much much more.

So I question myself and our society as to whether the way we use the symbolism of our flag says something about the way we have changed as a nation and who we are.”

IN CONVERSATION WITH ALAN THEXTON

THE PICTORIAL LIST: Alan please tell us a bit about yourself. How did you become interested in photography?

ALAN THEXTON: I was born in Oakleigh in suburban Melbourne in and have lived in Melbourne most of my life. As a child I was fascinated by photographs of places and things I had not seen before and first became interested in photography in primary school. In my late teens and early 20’s photography was almost an obsession with me. Later in life as I got involved in raising a family and building a career photography became a luxury pursuit that I only occasionally engaged with. In the early 2000’s with my family largely independent I came back to photography and it has been a near constant pursuit since. Now retired from paid work and living on the Mornington Peninsula I finally have the time to devote to my photography that I have always desired.

TPL: Alan please tell us the full story behind your series AUSFLAG. What is it about? When did the project begin, and how did the idea for it start? Is it an ongoing series? What do you want the viewer to experience when they look at this series?

AT: This series was not planned, it just seemed to evolve from my observations from around 2016 and is ongoing. The series for me is a question. When I was a child we would salute the flag and pledge allegiance to the Queen at school assembly. The flag had a certain symbolism.

Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, I saw our country change from largely a British influenced culture to a more independent and outward looking one. The way we use our flag appears to have also changed, and has even become a commercial product. When January 26th approaches, we see variations of the Australian flag plastered all over the merchandise of towels, hats, T-shirts, beer stubbies, thongs, and much much more.

So I question myself and our society as to whether the way we use the symbolism of our flag says something about the way we have changed as a nation and who we are.

TPL: What does street photography mean to you? Describe your style. Where or how do you find inspiration? Are projects important in your street photography?

AT: I have always been an observer of life. Street photography for me is an observation of life and how people relate to each other, and influence our environment. My street photography is a visual record of my observations. I prefer to think of these photographs as a collections rather than project. A project suggests a plan with a determined beginning and end. My photographs are random observations. I do not plan to pursue a certain subject.

I find that certain themes or subject matter repeat in my observations and over time I gather them together and form a series of related images. There are many themes appearing in my work concurrently without a plan.

TPL: What have been some of your favourite memories or moments in your photography journey? What have you personally gained from your experiences?

AT: As a young man photography was a medium I used to try to make sense of the world and I suppose it is still the same now. Since starting photography a second time the world has gone digital and with this has come the online photography communities. This for me has been a huge change. When I started out I was largely photographing on my own and didn’t know anyone else that shared my interest in photographing on the street. Now I can communicate with a number of people and have met many that share my passion.

TPL: Do you have any favourite artists or photographers you would like to share with us, and the reason for their significance?

AT: Yes many. Three that really inspired me when I stared out were Andre Kertesz, Tony Ray-Jones, and Robert Frank. And they still do. I enjoy the work of many contemporary Melbourne based photographers. There is a strong street photography community in Melbourne and I enjoy viewing their work and occasionally meeting up.

TPL: When you are out shooting - how much of it is instinctual versus planned?

AT: As mentioned previously I don’t plan much. I may plan to visit a certain location on a certain day but once I am there I try to empty my mind and observe. I find the more I think about what I am doing the less shots I get, if any. I prefer to wander and just see what I find.

I have always been an observer of life. Street photography for me is an observation of life and how people relate to each other, and influence our environment.

TPL: What are some tips or advice you would give yourself if you started street photography all over again?

AT: Believe in what you are doing and have the confidence to pursue the subject matter and style of photograph that you enjoy, not what everyone else tells you to do.

TPL: Does the equipment you use help you in achieving your vision in your photography? What camera do you use? Do you have a preferred lens/focal length?

AT: I would like to say gear is irrelevant, but it isn’t. Street photography is easier when you are comfortable with your gear and using it is instinctive. This series has been largely shot with a Fuji X Pro1 with either an 18mm prime or 23mm prime lens. The 23mm has become my favourite. The combination of camera and lens feels a bit like using a film camera that I grew up with. The camera has some quirks but I have become comfortable using it. I have also started taking some shots with a canon EOS R which I am still learning to use.

TPL: What are some of your goals as an artist or photographer? Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

AT: In five years I hope to be doing a lot of road trips photographing my way around the country and sometimes travel internationally. What sort of images will I be making? I will only know when I have made them.