STORIES
Portraits of Áo Dài (Hope For Peace And Love)
Vietnamese photographer Chiron Duong embarked on his project ‘365 days with Áo Dài’ to showcase the beauty and rich cultural relevance of Áo Dài – a traditional Vietnamese dress. The resulting images are rich in colour, emotions and show us a modern Vietnam that many haven’t seen like this before.
Jim Sturgess – Better late than never
After an illustrious acting career, starring in films with Anne Hathaway, Ray Liotta, or Billy Bob Thornton, among many others; he speaks to us from his East London house, full of charm and humility.
The Last Stand
Between 2010 and 2014, photographer Marc Wilson travelled to 143 locations across the British Isles and Northern Europe to capture physical remnants of the Second World War. His captivating images transport us into another time – eerie landscapes, abandoned structures and the absence of humans create a parallel universe of a time gone by. His book The Last Stand has just been published in its 4th edition and is available now.
Starling
Internationally-acclaimed Danish photographer Søren Solkær – best known for his iconic portraits of artists such as Björk, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith, Pharrell Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and David Lynch – is set to release his 9th photographic monograph, Starling, on 26th December 2023. The images continue his photographic exploration of starling murmurations, a phenomenon known in Denmark as ‘Black Sun’.
Underground Halloween
For 20 years, Seymour Licht went out every October 31st to take pictures of strangers on the New York subway. His fascinating collection of images of partygoers in costumes is now compiled in his first book Undergound Halloween – a piece of New York history like no other. We spoke to Seymour in an exclusive interview about his passion for the scariest time of the year and what kind of people he’s meeting on the subway.
Black Peppa – Paint it black
It’s been just over a year since Drag Race UK viewers first encountered self-styled ‘Caribbean Empress of Birmingham’ Black Peppa, arguably the fiercest queen to tread the UK’s catwalk to date. Fashion-forward looks and lip sync assassin skills aside, it was Peppa’s inspiring story of self-realisation that truly captured viewers’ hearts. We catch up with Peppa alter ego Akeem-Anthony Adams about growing up in Sint Maarten, their unique style and life after reality TV.
Signs of time
When Russia started to invade Ukraine on 24th February 2022, Odessa-based photographer Viacheslav Onyshchenko felt paralysed and scared. Taking pictures and documenting his hometown was his way of coping with the fear and switching off from the constant news and media reports. Instead of photographing the evidence of the war, his work shows the ‘new normal’, the surreal everyday life of people in Odessa.
I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From
Together with her friend Alejandra Ortiz, a writer and activist from Mexico, photographer Iris Haverkamp Begemann created the photo series ‘I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From’. Iris travelled to Alejandra’s hometown in Mexico, tracing back her childhood and early life. The project creates an intimate portrait of identity and at the same time exposes a juxtaposition in experience and personal freedom.
David Holmes, a galloping man
In the silence preceding the symphony, David Holmes, DJ, producer, and composer (Ocean's Eleven, Killing Eve, Hunger) emerges as a masterful storyteller of sonic tales. His first album after a 15-year hiatus, is not merely a collection of songs but a musical odyssey guiding listeners through uncharted soundscapes. In this intimate interview, we delve into the very heart of Holmes's creativity, unraveling the mysteries behind each chord and lyric. Join us as the artist shares the inspirations, challenges, and revelatory moments that shaped his most recent musical creation.
Tree of Life
The beauty, symbolism, and versatility of flowers have transcended the natural world and found a place on the runways, shaping fashion and beauty trends with their timeless appeal. Claudine Blythman used Mimosa, with colours inspired by Iris and Peonies to symbolise love, friendship and healing.
Songs of Love and Loss
With ‘Songs of love and loss’, Francis Augusto captures moments of tension, tenderness and romance, which take us inside a gallery of feelings. His artworks explore the moments that characterise and stimulate our feelings of love and grief, enriching our cultural and artistic conversation on intimacy and relationships.
Transient Ties
‘Transient Ties’ recounts the forced migration of Michaela Nagyidaiová’s grandmother, Eleni/Lena, who fled Greece during the Greek Civil War. Set in Slovakia, the work delves into her identity as a political refugee and examines the impact of displacement on cultural heritage. It sheds light on the fragility of one's connection to their homeland after fleeing.
Sana Sana
Photographer Rosa Lacavalla’s project, Sana Sana describes the gradual and careful process of recovering from emotional traumas as well as a journey towards healing that starts on the inside and ends outward.
Pam Hogg – Doing it her way
In a world dominated by shades of beige, we should be grateful for Pam Hogg’s raw, indomitable energy. A painter, musician, and self-taught fashion designer, she started making her own clothes in the eighties to get into Blitz, London’s legendary club. Despite dressing big names like Rihanna or Lady Gaga, she has never surrendered to the conventional fashion system. She still makes all her designs herself from an East London studio.
The streets of New York
In this project, photographer Cody Cutter delves into the vibrant tapestry of the streets of New York City, undertaking a profound exploration of its diverse denizens. Motivated by an inherent curiosity, he seeks to isolate singular individuals within the bustling multitude, aiming to cast them in a distinctive light that unveils the nuanced layers of their existence. Operating on intuition, Cody adeptly captures the unique moments each person experiences within themselves, creating a poignant connection that resonates across the collective human experience.
Shining a Light on Ari Abdul
Ari Abdul is entering her reputation era. With her dark tones and euphoric instrumentals, Ari creates a funhouse mirror reflection of what she has seen online, the messed up and the toxic, filtering this through a character that embodies all the parts of yourself you want to kill. In her new EP “CCTV”, her ‘villain arc’ reaches new sonic heights.
Impossible Street Art
A significant new project by British photographer Joseph Ford, who most recently took home a Silver Award in the Environment Category at The AOP Awards 2023, shows what kind of world street artists might come up with in the absence of restrictions. A new initiative that features the first collaborations of prominent worldwide street artists including Peeta, Levalet, and Victoria Villasana.
Outside Art
Richie Culver first realised he understood art at an afterparty. It was at one of many post-rave afters that he was exposed to a book of Nan Goldin’s photographs. It wasn’t long after that Richie started producing his own art, visual and music. Today, Richie creates through sobriety, family life and therapy – his emotionally charged music takes on the form of existentialism. We caught up with him to discuss his current obsessions and his separation of art and music.