Memories of Dust is a long-term project documenting traditional masculinity in my home state of Texas. I examine the cowboy, a classic male icon shaped by visual media, and its influence in society today.

In a post #MeToo era, it is necessary to deconstruct prevailing male representations, to generate meaningful discussions about the evolving role of masculinity. By researching a male stereotype, I aim to challenge an enduring idea of masculinity and delve into its present-day complexities.

The cowboy has long been a symbol of North America. The role model I grew up with, glamourized by popular culture, continues to represent the concept of the ‘real man’: the strong silent type, dominant and self-reliant, virile and emotionally distant. Not only has the myth of the cowboy directly helped construct a male ideal in the USA, but it also largely influenced how masculinity is expressed in Europe.

While visiting the ranching community in Texas, I play with visual tropes of masculinity and rethink the myth of the cowboy within a fast-changing landscape. By researching an important male figure in my life, I question how romanticized male traits have impacted me as a man. In return, I try to help reshape a modern idea of hegemonic masculinity that could be more positive for society.

About Alex Bex

Alex Bex is a French-Texan photographer currently residing in Berlin, where he studied Fine Art Photography at the Neue Schule für Fotografie. [Official Website]

Cultural Influence

Growing up between France and Texas, Alex was deeply influenced by the diverse cultural, artistic, and media perspectives of these two regions. This duality has shaped him in an original way, blending European sensitivity with American visual poetry, which is evident in his work.

Artistic Exploration

Alex’s photography explores the impact of popular visual media on traditional representations, particularly the subject of masculinity and its social construction. Through his work, he engages with the cultural biases he was brought up with, in order to study or challenge them.

Professional Experience

Frequently involved in the movie and music scenes, Alex has worked as a set photographer on various film projects and has portrayed established artists for press and artwork purposes. These experiences have deepened his interest in the power and intricacies of media representation within his artistic practice.