Black British queer photographer and archive curator, Ajamu X, has been at the forefront of genderqueer photography since the early 1990s. Published in a print run of only 500 copies following the artist’s successful Kickstarter campaign, AJAMU : ARCHIVE unapologetically celebrates queer black bodies, desire, difference and pleasure activism. Autograph are delighted to be the sole distributor of the remaining 100 copies, available exclusively in our online shop.

This limited-edition, signed artist’s book includes photographic works that have never been exhibited or published before alongside specially commissioned texts from Johnny Golding and Dr Sheena Calvert, contextualising Ajamu’s practice at this pivotal point in his career. This beautifully designed book reflects the aesthetic and high production values embodied in the artist’s work, and features an small postcard print of Diamond Pornstar alongside a unique set of bookmarks.

To celebrate the publication AJAMU : ARCHIVE, Autograph has also released a special signed 10" x 8" limited edition print of the artist's photograph Power Drill Heels, part of our Autograph Editions series.

Please note, this book contains nudity and sexually explicit images.

About the artist

Ajamu is a socially engaged fine art photographic artist producing Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer imagery in the UK. His work has been included in more than 20 solo exhibitions and 30 group shows in museums, galleries and alternative spaces across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, South Africa and the UK between 1990 and the present. His creative practice is driven by a desire to show Black queer lives as we truly are: with passion, with intimacy, with sex, with desire, with love and with community.

Recent group exhibitions include: Kiss My Genders, Hayward Gallery, 2019; Get Up Stand Up, Somerset House 2019; On our Backs: The Revolutionary Art of Queer Sex Work, Leslie Lohman Museum, 2019. He was the cover artist for the January / February issue of Frieze Magazine. Ajamu is also engaged in academia, bringing a more nuanced conversation about visibility, social and cultural exclusion within a socially engaged fine art practice.

Published by Ajamu X, 2021
Signed and numbered by the artist, edition of 500
Introductory essay by Ajamu X, a coda by Johnny Golding and an extended colophon by Sheena Calvert
Includes artist postcard print and five bookmarks
Hard-bound in cloth, with printed endpapers,  dust jacket and belly band
Signature-sewn and printed using lithography
Designer: Sheena Calvert
Pages: 224
Images: 80
Dimensions: 240mm x 170mm
Text in English
ISBN: 978-1-9168978-0-9

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European delivery

Unfortunately, we are temporarily unable to accept orders through our online shop for delivery to the EU. If you are located in the EU and wish to purchase this item, please contact us at info@autograph-abp.co.uk.

International delivery

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