Abhi Chinniah is a self-taught portrait photographer and writer. Born in Ōtautahi Christchurch to Jaffna Tamil Malaysian parents, Abhi grew up in East Coast Malaysia and now lives in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Drawing from her lived experiences, Abhi uses portraiture to elevate marginalised voices honing in on women of colour, migrant communities and colourism. Her debut photographic series, 'Light Skin Dark Skin,' explored the journeys people have to take because of the colour of their skin. Her subsequent photo essay, 'A Migrant's Path,' followed the stories of migrant groups in Aotearoa and how these groups seek out belonging when separated from their roots. 'Light Skin Dark Skin' and 'A Migrant's Path' went on to be acquired by The National Library of New Zealand.
Her widely acclaimed photo essay 'Melanin Rising' used portraits, essays and interviews to understand skinlightening practices and media representation of dark-skinned people. Abhi currently resides in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.