NiiJournal IV: Pride?
This issue explores the intricate relationship between queerness and Blackness—two identities that have shaped a unique culture but face persistent political oppression. Niijournal interrogates political leaders, demanding respect and protection for Black and queer identities.
Earlier this year, Ghana's parliament passed a bill threatening LGBTQ+ community members with up to three years in prison and five years for those supporting LGBTQ+ groups. As a queer Ghanaian, Campbell Addy is directly affected, making the theme of the next Niijournal edition inevitable.
The fourth edition aims to challenge cultural expectations of masculinity and femininity and overturn misconceptions about being Black and queer globally. It showcases the work of diverse artists, poets, and photographers, celebrating the excellence of the Black diaspora. The exhibition features artworks from Campbell Addy, Cameron Ugbodu, Nana Danso, Amber Pinkerton, George Hutton, Georgia Semple, Alejandra Loaiza, Adaeze Okaro, Intranet Girl, Carle Van Der Linde, Koji and Shiba, David Nana Opoku Ansah, Ib Kamara, Mao Ishikawa, Francisco Narciso, Toshio Ohno, Kizen, MAR + VIN and Yaku Stapleton.
In the new issue of Niijournal, (III: Family Ties) we examine our closest, most intimate relationships across blood relations and extended family.
Niijournal was launched by publisher and photographer Campbell Addy in the summer of 2016 with the message, “here to educate, not irritate.” With more emerging Black photographers and artists pushing through industry barriers than ever, the second issue documented themes of religion, mixing printed poems fashion imagery and elements of documentary photojournalism.
In the new issue of Niijournal, ( III: Family Ties) we examine our closest, most intimate relationships across blood relations, extended family, our pioneering Black LGBTQ communities, the Black church, the nightclub, a house in New Addington, a house in Accra, a photographer’s studio in Brixton. Our teachers and students, our artists, our individual beacons and merging, emerging, overlapping collectives. Our Baltimore family in New York, and of course, exemplary lessons in Black fine art photography.
Niijournal II
Exploring the issues of empowerment and representation within race. Issue two of Niijournal comes as a double cover, and features two musical Goddesses. Residing on one of the covers is singer-songwriter and cellist Kelsey Lu, shot by photographer Tyler Mitchell. On the other, singer-songwriter Kelela shot by Addy himself.
Niijournal
Niijournal was launched on 10 May 2016. Birthed from London-based photographer Campbell Addy’s vision of creating a publication that embraces and encourages diversity, Niijournal illuminates the representation (or lack thereof) and the hardships that certain groups have endured along with their triumphs and inspiring life stories. Addy and individuals from various walks of life have achieved this aspiration through a diverse and elegant execution of art, photography, fashion editorial and political and cultural discussion. We are living in a generation where our differences are being positively and negatively broadcasted at a rapid rate and ideals and viewpoints are being reshaped constantly. Niijournal’s main objective is to “educate, not irritate.”