| Born in 1970 in
a suburb of Tel-Aviv to a family of Moroccan and Egyptian origin,
Kobi Israel began his exploration of photography in 1994 when he was
a flight attendant. His camera always with him, he immortalized his
experiences around the world, as can be seen in his early works. In
his own words: “I use the camera as an extension of my body
and senses, like I use my eyes or hands. When I ‘photograph’,
I feel, I explore, I fantasize, I discover, I try to understand...”
In 1996, he studied cinematography at the New York Film Academy.
He then returned to Tel-Aviv for a four year program in Cinematography
& Still Photography at Camera Obscura, the school of visual
arts in Tel-Aviv, graduating in 2001.
In 2002 after a brief stint in Madrid, Kobi settled in London,
where he started working on a series of photographic mixed-media
bodies of work exploring the multiple layers of human identity and
the quest for self-definition. This project is divided into evolving
chapters of experience: physical, mental and emotional. Each chapter
opens a window to the artist’s realm revealing an aspect of
his personal quest for a tangible identity mingled with an intense
desire for self-knowledge and self-acceptance. In addition, he continues
his work with urban and rural landscapes in his distinctive surrealist
style.
Kobi’s work has received worldwide critical acclaim and recognition
from a number of prestigious publications and awards. Among others,
he was granted the “Judges Choice” Award at the Association
of Photographers Open Exhibition and was selected as a finalist
in the “Schweppes Photographic Portrait Prize”
at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
His works have been widely published in books and magazines and
are included in numerous private and public art collections throughout
the world. |
Biography