photo by: Samantha West
It’s hard to believe that Liam Alexander was once a knife salesman, selling chopwear to bored housewives door-to-door. But as the story always goes, you have to start somewhere. Now a successful entrepreneur (and visionary artist, arguably), this talented young man has tested himself and worked hard to find success and fulfillment in the things he is most passionate about. In this two part series, you will get to know the talented Liam and even get a sneak peek into some of his newest projects! Check out the Q&A below:
2+7: It seems your work over the years has changed… From selling knives to become a recognized photographer, artist and actor. What do you feel is next and how do you want your work to change society? Or do you even want it too?
LA: Haha oh my god I forgot I told you about the knives! Best job ever, Cutco, by the way 10years later those damn knives I sold to everyone are STILL the best god damn knives! I see people that are like “Liam I can’t believe I bought those stupid knives from you 10 years ago but I still have them and they are still my favorite! Haha yeah, I sold cutco in college, it was great actually I learned so much during that job and it taught me how to expand my comfort zone as a person
landscape of a dream by Liam Alexander
Really…It all makes sense to me and was a natural progression. It’s all me it’s all my voice and has helped me find my voice. I feel like I was really misguided and I’ve been trying to find my way home. Everything that I’ve done has lead to the next thing. I’m not afraid to work outside a certain box, I’m not afraid of the world, or all the new things in it. I’m not really afraid to go after the things I want to do, and most importantly I’m not afraid to do the work that it takes to learn something new. That’s the most exciting part of life!
As far as changing the world, well, I’ve got some changes in mind, just like everybody else, you know. But I need to catapult myself into a position where people will be interested in my opinion on those matters, and then I’ll worry about making changes in the world, for now, I’m just working.
landscape of a dream by Liam Alexander
2+7: What is your motto in life?
LA: I always say that “you can have more money than me, you can be more connected then me, be better looking, and more talented, but I can learn anything if I have enough time, and no one can out work me”. That’s a motto that I basically live by. I’ll go ahead and credit my dad on that one, I’m not sure if he told me that, I think it’s a modified form of something he instilled in me.
People say “oh are you a fashion photographer, are you an artist, or an actor”(like, always with a snicker) as though I have to choose one. And I’m like, I’m whatever I want to be, and so are you. You choose your life, that’s what’s great about being alive is that you can do whatever you want!
landscape of a dream by Liam Alexander
landscape of a dream by Liam Alexander
2+7: Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
LA: Yes! I’m having a show of my photos from across the globe “landscape of a dream” its in Brooklyn at a bar called Woodwork, and it opens on the 13th of December! I’m featuring (images above) in large scale dreamscapes that ivew shot, I shoot 35mm film in one country, and then take it to another country and expose it again, the result is beautiful landscape images.
It’s the most fun work that I’m currently making…I love it and I’m so happy to be able to share it with people. I met the dude that runs the bar at a group show that one of my pieces was in, and he loved it, someone else bought the piece but he asked “why don’t I have a show for you” really cool dude, and the food he cooks is amazing! Anyway its December 13th at Woodwork in Brooklyn.
Please join us for the opening reception for:
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for more information on Woodwork click here
When you look back on your life you don’t see a clear vision but a blurred interpretation of your memories, dreams, feelings and experiences. The series “Landscape of a Dream”, is a culmination of my captured experience of the new worlds I have visited over the past year. Each of the 35mm rolls of film is started in one part of the world, and finished in another, shot in places like Ecuador and Milan, then re-exposed in Venice, Mexico, Paris, the Galapagos, New York. When developed these dreamscapes tell the story of my travels, and my life from a blurred and skewed all encompassing hindsight. Just as your dreams are juxtapositions of themes and concepts from your experience of life, these landscapes are juxtapositions of the different cultures, concepts and feelings of my life, my memories, and my travels… they are documents of my dreams on film.
click here for images from the show
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1 comment
Chris says:
Dec 11, 2011
Work isnt work if you enjoy what you do. Unfortunately for some of us what we like to do turns out to be hobbies with most of our time consumed by life, family, work etc. Your pieces get intrisically deeper and deeper as time progresses.Hope to see you soon. All the best!