JONATHAN CHERRY: What did you want to be growing up?
AARON CLARINGBOLD: When I was younger I always liked skateboarding. I guess I got interested and involved in photography through that and kind of wanted to be a skateboard photographer. I changed my mind after a little bit. Pretty typical introduction.
JC: Who or what is inspiring you at the moment?
AC: Mainly well written articles on interesting and important things. Also good critics of (lens-based) art. Anyone who is effectively communicating things that make me think a bit differently. Also good music, company and conversation.
JC: What are you up to right now?
AC: Taking pictures, thinking, learning and deciding what to do. Trying to get some exposure for my photography (work out if other people like my photographs) and to make something that satisfies me.
JC: Have you had mentors along the way?
AC: Tracy Chapman, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Blaze Foley, Townes Van, Zandt, Tom Waits, John Prine.
JC: Where are you based right now and how is it shaping you?
AC: Home, which is Melbourne, Australia. This country is full of contradictions and barely hidden issues. Melbourne is probably the easiest place to question the behaviour and notion of Australia and Australianess. People here seem entirely un aware of how bad some things are and how good other things are. It’s all backward and internalised. We are not taught about our own history in schools, you have to seek it out yourself and it’s not made easy. On an international level we are one of the richest countries and are certainly some of the most privileged people in the world, yet we continue to participate is some of the most terrible behaviour.
JC: One piece of advice to photography graduates?
AC: The world is very big and quite complicated. From what I can see it is immensely interesting and very beneficial to learn about it. This might not help with the expensive lifestyle and sports car in the magazine.
JC: If all else fails - what is your plan B?
AC: I think it is unhelpful to think about things in that way. There is no end point or finish line that I am working towards. I’m not planning to get anywhere, I’m just doing things I enjoy and think are worth doing.
JC: Is it important to you to be a part of a creative community?
AC: I have never really considered myself to be, but I think I am sort of moving towards that and finding it very positive. You definitely need to be exposed to other ways of doing things, and preferably confronted by opposing ideas and processes in order for you to grow and develop. It is undeniably helpful to be able to engage in detailed discussions about creative practice in a casual, friendly and understanding environment.
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