What we do

Contra is a not-for-profit annual magazine and arts organisation that explores the complex relationship between visual culture and conflict.

Conflict, in all forms, continues to inform the work of artists, photographers and other visual practitioners. From traditional photojournalism to the live streaming of global events, the image has the power to influence policy, shape public opinion and even spark us into action.

Through our printed publications, community outreach projects and events programme, Contra aims to raise awareness of various forms of conflict through investigating the role of the image. Beyond the pages of our own publication, we seek to make a tangible difference on the ground and positively impact our community.

Contra seeks to establish a network of cross cultural exchange, support young and emerging artists and promote dialogue and debate.

By providing a platform for marginalised voices, we aim to help those who have been directly affected by conflict.

In print

Issue 01, titled Displacement, looks at the visual response to current and past migrations. Published in January 2018, it features contributors such as dancer-choreographer Akram Khan, photographer Harley Weir, and Turner Prize nominees Forensic Architecture and Oscar Murillo.

Issue 02, themed around Protest, explores how visual culture engages with and reacts to different forms of resistance. Published in April 2019, it features contributors such as Kara Walker, Olafur Eliasson, Santiago Sierra, Seamus Murphy and Raqs Media Collective.

Our third issue, titled Ruin, is due to be published in spring 2020.

Events

Alongside the publication, we run an ongoing events and community outreach programme that forms an integral part of what we do. These events take the form of film screenings, panel discussions, exhibitions, workshops, artist residencies and more. Keep posted on our social media channels for news about what’s coming up.

Who we are

We are a group of passionate volunteers with a varied background in publishing, events, filmmaking and research. The idea to form Contra derived from a shared interest in representations of conflict and a belief that accessible critical analysis of this topic is missing within everyday encounters with media.

Our team

Ben Bohm-Duchen
George Brodie
Lucas Giles
Shivani Hassard
Alexander Morrison

Design by Our Place

Distributed by Antenne Books

Press

“Through the combination of captivating photo essays and insights
into the thoughts of well-known creatives, Contra Journal utilises
art and design to create a platform that communicates stories and
champions unheard voices”
It’s Nice That

“Numerous new art publications pop up every year, and some
stand out more than others. Contra… certainly has a USP”
The Art Newspaper

“Issue 01 of Contra was one of our favourite launches last year”
Stack

“I was really impressed by the way Contra drills down into the
issues it covers and looks at them from a human perspective,
resulting in content that has a real resonance.”
Maurice Wren,
Chief Executive, Refugee Council

“The very opposite of the cut and paste zine of resistance, Contra’s calm glossy pages belie its powerful message.”
MagCulture

An in-depth interview with the Contra founders published by Dazed can be found here.

Stockists
Artwords Bookshop Limited [Broadway Market, London]
Artwords Bookshop Limited [Rivington Street, London]
Athenaeum Boekhandel [Amsterdam]
Basheer Graphic Books [Singapore]
Chandal [Barcelona]
CRUDO [London]
Do You Readme?! GbR [Berlin]
Dispozitiv Books [Bucharest]
Edicola 518 Impresa Sociale Soc. Coop. [Perugia]
Foyles Bookshop [UK]
Frab's Magazines & More [Online]
Average [Toronto]
Homestead Store [Delivery]
Housman's Bookshop [London]
ICA [London]
Magalleria [Bath]
Magazine Office Copies [Delivery]
MagCulture [London]
Magma [London]
Magma [Manchester]
Manifesto-Associacao [Porto]
Materia Prima [Porto]
Mosto Laden
Multi-Arts Corporation [Taipei]
Papercut [Stockholm]
Photographers Gallery [London]
Print Matters! [Zurich]
Rails London Ltd [Delivery]
Rainbow News [London]
Rare Mags [Stockport]
Reading Room / Francesca Spiller [Milan]
Rosa Wolf [Berlin]
Skylight Books [LA]
Stack [Online]
Tate Modern [London]
Tender Books [London]
Village Bookstore [Leeds]
Walther Koenig Books [Whitechapel Gallery, London]
Walther Koenig Books [Serpentine, London]