The British-Ghanaian photographer Campbell Addy is best known for his stylish images of today’s Black cultural vanguard— from Naomi Campbell to Beyoncé, you name them, he’s shot them.
Since cutting his teeth in fashion, Addy has expanded his reach into a number of other creative pursuits. Earlier this year, after a five-year hiatus, he revived his print publication Niijournal, focused on alternative conversations around Black and queer identities. The latest issue, subtitled Pride?, was prompted by an anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed in February in the Ghanaian parliament, which seeks to further curtail rights and increase persecution of non-heterosexual people and their supporters.
Addy has also broken into the art world. After debuting his paintings last year at Saatchi Gallery in London, he received a solo exhibition, I Heart Campbell, at 180 Studios, in which more of his paintings were shown alongside eight years of his photographs and films. With so many feathers in his cultural cap, it is unsurprising that Addy is also the owner of a growing art collection.
Chris Ofili’s No Woman, No Cry PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo
The Art Newspaper: How quickly do you decide to buy a work of art?
Campbell Addy: I usually decide almost instantly. Most of the artwork I’ve bought is by fellow contemporary artists, either because I’ve been part of the process, was present before the work was created, or because I’m drawn to pieces that differ from their usual style yet maintain a distinct aesthetic.
What was the first work of art that you ever bought?
It was a black-and-white monochrome piece by the Baltimore artist Devin N. Morris.
What was the last work you bought?
It was a photographic piece by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr.
What do you regret not buying when you had the chance?
I don’t really have any regrets. Many of the works I own have been swapped with fellow artists, so they either include a painting of mine or someone else’s.
If you could have any work from any museum in the world, what would it be?
Chris Ofili’s No Woman, No Cry (1998), currently at the Tate Britain.
Where do you like to eat and drink in London?
I love Korean restaurants, specifically Tohbang in Clerkenwell.
Do you have any parties lined up for Frieze week?
Haha, no, I’m a bit of a homebody. Plus, it’s nearly winter, and the weather is getting quite cold. I prefer to spend this time indoors.
What’s your least favourite thing about art fairs?
Listening to people’s conversations about art—it feels like being back at Central Saint Martins, doing a crit all over again!
Where do you go in London to get away from it all?
I love going to the park opposite my home.
South London Gallery, one of the venues that Addy recommends to people visiting London for the first time Courtesy of South London Gallery
What tip would you give to someone visiting London for the first time?
It depends on the time of year, but I’d suggest visiting galleries and exploring all the free exhibitions. From the South London Gallery to the Tate Modern, the V&A, and the Natural History Museum, there’s always a place to experience great art while taking shelter from the weather. And if you’re a film enthusiast, check out the Prince Charles Cinema [in Leicester Square] for some classic films.
