BORN IN BAT Yam, a small town south of Tel Aviv, Kobi Israel was the second eldest in his family (two sisters and one brother). A blend of different origins like many Israelis, he has both Moroccan and Egyptian influences.
Growing up as a gay man could have been problematic for someone whose family could be described as traditional, particularly in a town and neighbourhood where everyone knew each other's business.
After leaving military service and moving in with his boyfriend, Kobi knew that he needed to 'come out' to his family. It was an emotional experience for both them and him, but despite that they gave him their continued love and support. His mum even
joined him on holiday to France with his then boyfriend.
When you meet Kobi, you realise quickly that you are dealing with someone who is not only in tune with his personality, but also able to apply the creative way he looks through a camera lens to life as well.
His photographic work shows flair, talent and innovation and it comes as no great surprise that German publishers Bruno Gmünder are already publishing a collection of his work.
reFRESH caught up with Kobi just after his arrival in London to quiz him about his work and plans for the future.

What made you leave London and how does life differ from Israel?

I moved to London a few months ago. As an artist I find it artistically stimulating with a lot of artistic activity and opportunities. I always travelled a lot and was never "stuck" to one place. I love London and also love Israel. I miss the beach, the hot weather, the life outdoors and the warmth of the people in Israel, but enjoy the energy and mixture of people, ethnicities, and the richness of the gay life in London. It's a great city to live and create in.

What was it about photography that interested you?

I don't want to sound pretentious, but I find it difficult to consider myself a photographer. It sounds too technical to describe my
relationship with my camera. Photography for me is only a technical medium that allows me to create, experience, explore and live my life.
The photographs appearing in my new book are only a small part of the scope of my work - I do a lot of travel photography,
people, urban landscapes etc. so people who can see some of my other work as well (can be seen in my website) will understand what I mean here. I use the camera as a vital organ, like I use my eyes or hands. When I "photograph" I feel, I explore, I fantasize, I discover, I understand…

A picture as a recreation of a fantasy, an interesting point, what is it that your photographs are saying?

This is not about fantasy, but about exploration, self -understanding and selfdiscovery. It's also not about "trying to say something" - this is my life, external and internal, and all the phases I went throughquestions, hesitations, understandings,
idealisation, fantasy - it's all there. The rest is up to the viewer - for some the army shots might be a fantasy - for some it might
be real life…

Where did you professional career begin and what are you currently working on?

My first professional assignment was when a photo I took of the Charles Bridge in Prague was among the finalists of a TimeOut travel photography competition in the UK. This is still one of my favourite photos, and many people visiting my website remembers it as it stroke them when they saw it in Time Out six years ago. What I consider my real "take Off" is the amazing response and popularity of my website, chosen by many portals as one of the best photography sites I am currently focusing on a few different projects that include a new photography book, which is very intimate. I am also working on an interesting "real life" project connected to profiles on gay chat websites and the way people sell themselves.

You have recently shot GMFA's 2003 anti aids campaign, what has made it one of their more controversial anti-AIDS campaigns?

I think a lot of controversy has come from the settings of the shots. For example, one of the "scenes" is shot in a cemetery in London, near a gravestone. This scene is able to raise many eyebrows and provoke many thoughts. The most obvious of which is the connotation of aids and death. It also provokes feelings of life and joy combined with the fear of death. There is also a link
between sex and the morbid as well which links to many old cemeteries being used as "cruising areas" - like the famous Pierre Lachaise cemetery in Paris