Alastair Thain, photographer

I chatted over lunch to internationally acclaimed photographer and artist Alastair Thain about society, education and how imagination can change the world. His latest project is a manifesto for empathy entitled ’10 Studies of Love and Everyday Cruelty’.

©Alexandra Dao

“It seems to me that creativity, empathy, consideration and the value of social connections should be the foundations of education”

— Alastair Thain

“Whether you are an artist or a genocidal imperialist or a religious leader, you are driven to find a sense of meaning and purpose.”

— Alastair Thain

“I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who shines creatively who hasn’t been encouraged to pursue a passion through love, affection, happiness and joy”

— Alastair Thain

“There is something inherent in British culture that is both very individualistic and very creative. And this is despite the elites and the government, not because of them.”

— Alastair Thain

“Every human being has the possibility to improve and develop themselves and society”

— Alastair Thain

“Let’s understand that all our social constructs are imagined and synthetic, and only exist in our brains. Let’s see the world as it really is, a precious gift.”

— Alastair Thain

“The free-thinking evolution of creativity from early childhood will be enormously beneficial at helping us create realities driven by the full beauty of our consciousness”

— Alastair Thain

“It’s absolutely crucial that what we imagine is as informed and creative as possible, and the things we choose to build our cultures from are grounded in positive, pro-social ideas.”

— Alastair Thain

“The way to challenge and build better societies is to be liberated to ask the questions that are really difficult, the iconoclastic questions. That’s what real creativity is about.”

— Alastair Thain

© Alastair Thain