Men from Iceland’s northern town, Akureyi, will feature in the 55th book of Elska magazine through a set of intimate and thought provoking photographs and stories.
“Iceland has always been close to my heart, and making an issue in Akureyri has been a long-held dream,” says Elska’s editor and founder, Liam Campbell.
It will be the second edition featuring Icelandic men, ‘Elska Reykjavík’ was underway in 2015 and, according to Liam, became Elska’s best selling edition for many years. With this return to Iceland comes the demonstration of founder Liam’s love for the country.
“My first solo trip outside my home country at the age of eighteen was to this country, and it came to shape my adult life and my future career.
“The accepting society encouraged me to come out when I returned home and the stunning landscapes inspired me to make my photography hobby into a career.”
Iceland has always been close to my heart, and making an issue in Akureyri has been a long-held dream.
Part photography, part storytelling and anthropology, Elska magazine focuses on showcasing diverse LGBTQ+ communities around the world. The publication relies on local men to participate, and centers around photoshoots with the men in their homes and their city streets (some in clothes, some without).
The stories are formed from diaries, interviews and conversations with the subjects, which Liam hopes will let readers get to know them, and what it’s like to ‘be queer and live in this very small and very special city’ of Akureyi.
Liam initially feared that participants would be difficult to find, in a city of roughly 20,000 people but found a community that welcomed him with ‘open arms’.
“They gave me some truly memorable moments, like the first gay farmer I’ve ever photographed, the second trans man brave enough to bare all. To have achieved this in Akureyri proved that this little city is truly remarkable.”
I have made this concept of love a guiding force of my art.
The eagle eyed will also recognise an Icelandic flavour to the publication’s name, Elska meaning ‘love’ in the Icelandic language. Although sometimes provocative, Liam explains his vision for the photographs as something more.
“I have made this concept of love a guiding force of my art. My goal is for readers of Elska not to lust after or admire my subjects, but to utterly fall in love with every one of them, just as I do.”
Elska Akureyri is available in a collectible print book or in a downloadable e-book. Fore more details go to www.elskamagazine.com.