Elias Halabi is a Palestinian artist and photographer who was born in Jerusalem in 1984 and who presently lives in Bethlehem. He holds a BA in sociology/psychology from Bethlehem University and a professional diploma in management and preservation of artistic cultural heritage in the Near East from the University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro in Vercelli, Italy. Combining his academic specialization with his passion for photography, he has mastered the art of photography based on social art.
Elias’s interest in photography started in England in 2009 while he was working in public relations and communications. He would often give public speeches about Palestine, yet he felt that there was something missing in his presentations. He searched for images that reflected the beauty of Palestine and its culture, but the majority of photos were of politics and life under Israeli occupation. This was the moment that Elias decided to pick up a camera and start taking photos. In 2011, his skillful lens gained the attention and award of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) Vettor Giusti Tourism Award Poster Competition 2011–2013, which encouraged him to carry on with his mission to tell the story of his people and beloved land.
Dead Sea view after a sunrise hike with Masar
Ibrahim Al-Khalil.
vegetable shop in Jericho.
While most Palestinian photographers at the time focused on journalism and politics, Elias decided to show the other side of the coin, a side that is unfamiliar to many locals or internationals. He strove to reveal the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle of the Palestinians and the beauty and diversity of Palestine’s natural landscapes.
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan.
Over the past few years, Elias’s artwork has made its way into local and international solo and joint exhibitions, magazines, websites, and books. Being the first official photographer of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity and working with a number of NGOs, governmental ministries, and consulates, he has been provided with a unique platform to reflect Palestine as he sees it.
Elias is currently preparing for his solo exhibition about Bethlehem at Bab IdDeir Gallery, uncovering for the first time some of his outstandingly remarkable photos of the Bethlehem governorate. The exhibition will feature religious sites, cultural heritage, landscape, and lifestyle.
To explore more of his work, visit www.eliashalabi.com or his Facebook page, Elias Halabi Photography.
