Interview with Graham MacIndoe by Street Level Gallery, Glasgow 16/7/20

Graham gave a long discussion about his background and his work. In summary:

• Born in Scotland but now works as an associate university professor of photography in America.
• Early influences were punk rock, protest music and protests against racism (late 70’s, early 80’s)
• Initially studied painting at Edinburgh Art College
• Started taking photos on a trip to New York and has never stopped since, carries his camera everywhere he goes
• Went to Ireland and photo’d a horse fair (recently released on Café Royal
• Likes being both in the middle of the action and finding the quiet places on the outskirts
• Always been intrigued by people, the expressions on their faces, the weird moments
• Initially not interested in commercial work but got involved with it – money – drugs – Coming Clean & Chancers, dicussed at length in Coming Clean
• Took pictures throughout drug scene but doesn’t show the pictures he took of other people – ethical dilemma
• Just take the pictures – put them away – may make sense later and fit with others to make a piece of work
• Early pics are relevant to your life, chunks are missing, but use what you have
• Went to concerts, got backstage passes, now works a lot with band The National.
• Interested in running – so takes pics of that
• Protest photography ongoing – been involved since early days – feels that most of the images should come from the Black photographers
• Racism/ colonisation/slavery/poverty/injustice/incarceration needs to be addressed
• Quoted Robert Frank – black and white are the colours of hope and despair
• Documentary – are we overwhelmed by all the images. Much is just wallpaper. Need to engage – but how much effect does it really have
• Everybody lives in their own bubbles

Suggested photographers to look at:

• Kirsty MacKay
• Matt Black
• Neil Greer
• Disturb (?)

Advice:

• If you are passionate you will get there
• Make pictures all the time
• Just keep on shooting
• Engage with the world to find out how your personal trauma fits in
• Who are you making things for?
• What’s the takeaway?
• You want people to think about what you have done