CoverImage

Illustration by Susanne Niemann.

Spotlight — Postscript Magazine

As Postscript Magazine prepares for its 38th issue, Editor in Chief Vamika Sinha reflects on their role in platforming unheard voices.

Mar 20, 2021

Born from an individual passion for writing that eventually blossomed into collaborative forms of art, fiction, and multimedia — among many other creative genres — Postscript Magazine has become one of NYU Abu Dhabi’s signature alumni artistic productions. Co-founded by Vamika Sinha and Zoe Jane Patterson, both Class of 2020, the online publication aims to position marginalized sociocultural narratives at the center of contemporary public discourse.
“We wanted Postscript to be a very global, cosmopolitan magazine that is open to all kinds of voices,” explained Sinha. “Part of the reason it is even called Postscript is because we take what is written in the margins and footnotes as important and central [issues].”
Some of Sinha’s interests revolve around intersectional feminism and Jazz literature. One of her favorite pieces that she created was influenced by her January Term experience. This creative nonfiction piece titled “The Colour Blue” focuses on the evolution of Jazz as a Black artfrom.
Sinha shared that the idea for the magazine initially emerged during their study away in Paris as a way to process both their lives and the city around them. “While [Patterson and I] were in the city, we were going through a lot of things, so we started writing,” she shared. “It all happened very spontaneously one night where we were kinda frustrated with working in other publications [and] we felt that all the things we wanted to say in the forms that we wanted to say them in they weren’t always welcome everywhere.”
From then on, this globally minded publication has grown into an editorial team of over 20 members from all around the world, publishing monthly theme-based issues. It has also expanded to accommodate multiple desks including poetry, visual arts and non-fiction.
Another milestone for the growing publication has been the ongoing virtual residency program in collaboration with the Exit 11 Performing Arts Company. The three-week long program hopes to disrupt the arts scene of the UAE by providing a space for eight emerging artists to showcase their works on the themes of vulnerability, introspection and personal development.
“We want artists to work in grassroots ways and connect them across borders and disciplines… [for] people who may not have had the chance to work together to creatively collaborate [with one another],” said Sinha.
As a publication that emerged in Paris, is currently based in the United Arab Emirates, and has contributors from all over the world and accepts submissions in multiple languages, Postscript Magazine hopes to continue to disrupt heteronormative and westernized publications in the media industry.
“I would describe our magazine as rebellious, noted Sinha. “The fact that we had the sheer audacity of the whole project and are still keeping it going and growing.”
Postscript Magazine releases their monthly issue on the first Monday of every month and is currently working on the April 2021 issue. The team is calling on artists to inquire, confront, reimagine and interpret the theme “Gulf” in many ways and is welcoming submissions until next week.
Aashraya Dutt is Deputy News Editor. Email her at feedback@thegazelle.org.
gazelle logo