‘Black in the USSR.’ Images Show the Modern Lives of People of Russian and African Descent Living in Russia.

Liz Artur-Johnson


Liz Johnson-Artur is a globally-recognized photographer who counts FADER and Vibe among her editorial credits, in addition to having captured Amy Winehouse, Nas, and M.I.A. in front of her lens.

In this series for The Calvert Journal, Johnson-Artur gives a glimpse into the modern day lives of the children of Soviet Africa. The project is personal for Johnson-Artur, who was born in Bulgaria to a Russian mother and a Ghanaian father.

Each of the subjects talks about their complex identities. We meet Gera, the son of a Cuban revolutionary who came to Moscow to study philosophy and Vlada, who speaks from the perspective of someone who has lived all over the world, among others.


Liz Artur-Johnson

Liz Artur-Johnson

Liz Artur-Johnson

The images and the special report coincides with the Red Africa season, an exhibtion that explores the “cultural relationships between Africa, the Soviet Union and related countries during the Cold War.” Red Africa is currently on view at Calvert 22 Foundation in London, from February 4th to April 3rd. For more information visit Calvert22.org.

Read more at The Calvert Journal.