MEDIA COVERAGE
The Spinoff: ‘We just are’: When can migrant artists stop representing culture and just create art?
Story by Preyanka Gothanayagi | December 2024
RE: News: ‘‘Colourism has followed me all my life. Why I photograph migrants’’
Story by Janhavi Gosavi | September 2024
Indian Newslink: Exhibition explores migration and identity
Story by Praneeta Mahajan | August 2024
Design Assembly: Aotearoa NZ Photographers . . . Abhi Chinniah
Story by Jess Lowcher | August 2024
RNZ: South Asian photographer exploring colour discrimination in New Zealand
Story by Blessen Tom | June 2024
Satellites Archive: Abhi Chinniah
2024
NZ Herald: Ramii Studio’s Abhi Chinniah on lifting migrant voices in NZ’s fine arts - Small business
Story by Alka Prasad | December 2023
NZ Herald: Sri Lankan-Kiwi photographer captures migrants’ stories through fresh perspective
Story by Paridhi Bakshi | October 2023
Woman Magazine: Migrant’s Path: Q&A with Photographer Abhi Chinniah
Story by Woman Magazine | September 2023
Stuff NZ: Challenging colourism: Artist tackles discrimination based on skin colour with Melanin Rising exhibition
Story & 6pm news story by Kethaki Masilamani | September 2022
Te Ao Māori News: Pouring light on the dark side
Story by Alka Prasad | September 2022
Multiethnic Young Leaders Interview: Abhi Chinniah
2022
RNZ: Melanin Rising exhibition opening today
Story by Jesse Mulligan | September 2022
RNZ: Light Skin, Dark Skin
Story by Jesse Mulligan | June 2020
The Spinoff:
The Sunday Essay: On code switching and finding my voice
For some people, I sound too Malaysian. For others, not Malaysian enough.
That’s not my name
It’s OK if you initially think my name is pronounced ‘Abby’ – but when I politely correct you, please listen.
A Deepavali celebration in locked down Auckland
Due to the lockdown there will be no Diwali / Deepavali festival in Auckland this week, but in homes across the country, celebrations will go on – even if those celebrating are far from the people they love, writes Abhi Chinniah.
ABC News:
“Because you’re worth it”: How the media informs colourism’’
{Excerpt} As a child, one of my early introductions to pop culture was the 1998 Tamil movie, Jeans. This movie followed every other romantic movie trope: boy meets girl, drama ensues, boy and girl live happily ever after. The female lead in Jeans was Aishwarya Rai, who had won the title of Miss World in 1994. Every inch of her was considered perfection, and her pale skin was the beauty ideal for all young women to aspire to. Growing up in Malaysia, it was nearly impossible to go anywhere without seeing Aishwarya’s face. As a six-year-old, I would trace her face off magazine covers, and carefully colour in her face with a light beige, finishing her eyes off with my favourite green hue. Then I’d sit back and admire my artistic portrait of her — a portrait worlds removed from my own dark brown skin and brown eyes.