By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Raised a Jehovah’s Witness, the out artist confesses that faith has left a mark on his career
For his first solo show, photographer Campbell Addy looked to an unexpected place for a title--the Bible. Unexpected, in that Addy is an openly gay artist living in the U.K., and according to a recent interview with Addy by Dazed, most assume that his sexuality precludes faith.
"Everyone assumes if you're gay, you're not religious," Addy said. "I grew up in a very religious household and there are things you can't just leave in the past. It stays with you-like my morals are deeply rooted in religion whether I like it or not."
Addy titled his show Matthew 7:7&8, a scripture that includes the line "seek, and ye shall find," which "always resonated" with the young photographer.
"If I wanted to get a job or do something, I told myself that I would have to go and seek it, not just sit and wait for it to be given to me," he said. "... The work is the journey."
Addy already has a career pushing for more inclusion in the fashion industry, both through casting agency Nii and the partner Niijournal. However, Matthew 7:7&8 is a personal quest to marry two parts of identity.
"I grew up Jehovah's Witness and I'm gay and there's nothing wrong with it," he said.
Matthew 7:7&8 will be shown at the KK Outlet in London through the end of March.
