KOBI ISRAEL

Born in 1970 in a suburb of Tel-Aviv to parents 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 ask,  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 five-year program in Cinematography and 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 photography and 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.
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 2003 Open Exhibition and was selected as a finalist in the “Schweppes Photographic Portrait Prize 2003” 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.

“In my latest series ‘Promised Lands’ I explore the concept of identity in a more abstract and indirect way. The images from this series are all landscapes and represent worlds relating to personal identities embedded in my mind. ‘Canaan’ are images from elemental landscapes in Iceland where I recognised extracts from biblical tales taught in my childhood. ‘America’ represents the promise that a land can hold to generations of immigrants, such as those of my parents. ‘Hampstead Heath’ represents a place of promised pleasure, excitement and even maybe love.” (Kobi Israel)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

• 2008
  • Prix Pictet, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France
• 2007   
  • Promised Lands, David Gallery, Los Angeles
    
  • Promised Lands, Hamiltons Gallery, London
• 2006   
  • Photographs, Goss Gallery, Dallas

GROUP EXIBITIONS

• 2008   
  • Promised Land, Warehouse, Italy
    
  • Something for Everyone, Hamiltons Gallery, London
• 2007   
  • London Photo, London
    
  • AOP Open, Association of Photographers Gallery, London
• 2006   
  • Paris Photo, Paris
    
  • AOP Open Exhibition, London
• 2005   
  • AOP Open Exhibition, London
• 2004   
  • International Photography Award, IPA04
    
  • International Open Image Award, IOI04, Waterloo Gallery, London
    "Highly Commended" Award
• 2003   
  • Schweppes Photographic Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery, London
  • Association of Photographers, AOP Open Exhibition, London
    "Judges Choice" Award
    
  • International Open Image Award, IOI03, Deluxe Gallery, Hoxton Sq, London
• 2002   
  • Descubrimientos PHE02, PHotoEspana 2002, Madrid
    
  • First International Saloon of Contemporary Artist, Lisbon
• 2001   
  • Galerie Art 7, Nice (Group)
    
  • Ramat-Gan Museum of Contemporary Art, Ramat-Gan

AWARDS

• 2007   
  • PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris - Honorable Mentions
    
  • IPA, International Photography Awards - Honorable Mentions
• 2006   
  • PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris - Honorable Mentions
    
  • IPA, International Photography Awards - Honorable Mentions
• 2004   
  • IPA, International Photography Awards - People, Self-Portrait
    
  • Inernational Open Image Award, "Highly Commended" Award, Waterloo Gallery, London, UK
• 2003   
  • AOP Open, "Judges Choice" Award, AOP Gallery, London, UK