© Alex Westfall
© Alex Westfall

“My roots are all over the world, and so I live with embracing movement and impermanence.”

Name

Alex Westfall

Profession

Artist

Website

alexwestfall.com

westfall_portrait1
© Alex Westfall

Who are you? What do you do?

I am a fine artist mostly working in photography and film. I’m pretty concerned with the line between fiction and reality; everyday moments that feel like they’re not actually one with real life. When I am not writing or working on a visual project, I study Film Theory and Semiotics at university.

Where are you from?

I am from Manila, the Philippines, but am based in Providence, Rhode Island for the time being.

Your style in 3 words?

A dream world

Your weakness? Your strength?

I am simultaneously lazy and someone who overthinks things. A strength? Hmm, I can’t think of one right now.

westfall_5
© Alex Westfall

What makes you different?

I’ve never really been in one place for an extended period of time. My roots are all over the world, and so I live with embracing movement and impermanence.

When did you decide to become an artist?

I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was a kid and picked up my dad’s old analog camera from his shelf for the first time. I recently had this realization, though, that an Agnes Martin painting, a Wong Kar-Wai film, or a Beach House song can transcend all of its intellectual and conceptual goals and pull out pure emotion from me. That sort of reinstated why creating things is so important to me.

What do you find most fascinating about your work?

Working as a photographer in particular has forced me in the most fortunate way to be hyper-aware of the world around me. I love learning about myself through what I choose to photograph. Also, it’s the most rewarding thing in the world when you feel like you’ve gotten something right.

westfall_6
© Alex Westfall

A few words about your favourite creation?

It’s a photograph of the moment before my friend jumps into a fjord. It’s early in the morning, the clouds are low, and the water is haunted by translucent jellyfish.

Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…

The paintings of Mamma Anderson, Richard Diebenkorn, and Peter Doig. Those are the worlds I’d like to live in.

A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?

I’m currently researching the life of Imelda Marcos, the wife of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Before she got sucked into the world of authoritarian politics, she had dreams of becoming a famous singer. I’d like to write a screenplay about her adolescent life, tracking her young dreams into stardom, and hopefully shoot the project on 16mm film.

westfall_7
© Alex Westfall

Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“

Being inspired by the people around me; walking around an unfamiliar place; the different ways light exists in the world.

2018: Where are we going?

I just bought a keyboard synth from the 80s. Time to make some dream pop!

When the going gets tough…

Take a walk, bake some bread, it’ll all be okay.

westfall_2
© Alex Westfall

Your city’s favourite spots?

Chinatown near Old Manila. Dozens of fruit stalls line the streets, the buildings are bright red, the air is wonderfully dense with smoke and humidity. It’s the perfect neighborhood.

Do you have a vision?

For art and beauty to be appreciated by every single person alive.

What would you do if you could change the World?

I would get rid of toxic and fragile masculinity. Too easy!

Tell us about your future plans…

I’ll be at school making projects, attending concerts, and reading lots of books for now. After I’m done, though, I’ll be moving far, far away.

Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?

The version of Wild Heart in which Stevie Nicks is singing in the dressing room, getting ready for her Rolling Stone cover shoot. You can find it on Youtube.

#…?

#killyouridols!!!

Follow Alex on Instagram