The sun sets on the rooftops of Bethlehem.
In 2017 the graffiti artist known as Banksy opened a hotel in the West Bank called The Walled Off Hotel, with the aim of promoting dialogue. The hotel features artwork by Banksy and other artists. Banksy’s politically themed art can also be viewed dotted around Bethelehem.
Art is one of the loudest forms of protest in Bethlehem. The wall separating the West Bank from Jerusalem is covered in graffiti, depicting the hardships of living behind the wall in a humurous and witty way.
Evidence of prayers at the Milk Grotto Church, Bethlehem.
View over Bethlehem. In the background is the Israeli town of Har Homa. Despite both communities being close geographically, little contact happens between them due to the Wall that separates them.
Hebron’s historic town centre feels like a ghost town. In 1997 Hebron was split into 2 sectors, H1 under Palestinian control and H2 under Israeli control. These shops would have been run by local Palestinians living in sector H2, but due to very strict Israeli security measures and harrassement from Israeli settlers, most Palestinians shops have closed. This hasn’t prevented the local children from using this area as a playground.
The silence in Hebron old town is occassionaly broken by the joyous shouts of children playing football.
One of the few shops to have survived in H2 Hebron sells pigeons.
Hebron is one of the holiest cities of Judaism. The Cave of Patriarchs also known as Abraham’s Mosque is the burial site of the biblical patriarchs, including Abraham. Roughly 700 Israeli settlers live in Hebron old town, living on the top floors of the old houses, while the Palestinians live on the ground floor. A metal mesh divides both communities.
Palestinian boys confront Israeli soldiers who calmly look on.
In 2017, Hebron old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then it has benefited from investments to preserve its heritage. Here works are being carried out to install water pipes in the ground.
Markets and Cafes in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is known for its history and religious importance, but it also has a strong culinary heritage. Malawach and Kubaneh breads are a staple of Jerusalem’s food and can be bought at most food stands.
Globalization has caught up with Jerusalem in the form of Sponge Bob, Chelsea and the Patriots memorabilia on sale in the Jewish Quarter.
Artists workshop in old Jerusalem.
Jerusalem has a tradition of family run handicraft businesses. This artist’s family came from Armenia to Jerusalem 6 generations ago, when Jerusalem was under Ottoman rule. They all worked in this workshop, as he does today.
At the 4th station of the Via Crucis, where Jesus met his mother, pilgrims today can quench their thirst with fresh pomegranate juice.
The Cotton Merchants Gate, Bab Al Qattanin, is one of the most beautiful gates that leads up to the Temple Mount also known as the Al Aqsa Mosque. During the day it is very busy and noisy. At night, all is quiet.
Dawn in Jerusalmem old town. Merchants are getting ready for the day before the tourists arrive.
Jerusalem may seem calm on the surface but there is always an underlying tension in the city, symbolized here by the Israeli Police check point at the end of the road.
The Dome on the Rock was built by the Umayyad Caliphs on the site of the second Jewish Temple. Completed in 692 AD, it is one of the oldest manifestations of Islamic architecture. It is said the Prophet Mohammad started his night journey up to heaven from the rock that is at the center of this structure. For this reason, the Mosque is regarded as one of the holiest Islamic sites.
The Dome of the Rock is also regarded as Judaism’s holiest site. For Jewish people, the Foundation Stone inside the Dome on the Rock is where God created the World and the first human Adam. It is also allegedly here that Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, where the ark of the Covenant rested in King Soloman’s Temple and it is where God’s presence is manifested more than any other place. All Jewish people pray towards the direction of the Foundation Stone.
These shots feature mainly my friends and family. There is something comforting in the idea of napping anywhere, anytime.
Shot on film, on an Olympus OM-1
Milan, August 2015
Daglio, Italy July 2015
Cabella Ligure, August 2015
Coromandel, New Zealand November 2015
Bruges, December 2015
Ostend, Belgium December 2015
Aylesbury, UK March 2016
This film roll was slightly exposed to light, creating an interesting effect on this photo.
Geneva, Switzerland Summer 2013
Cairo, Egypt September 2015
Two men play backgammon in Old Cairo, oblivious to the tourists passing by
The Souk, empty. It has been difficult to lure tourists back to Cairo. At Khan El Khalili souk, you can get a police officer to accompany you around for your protection, should you feel the need.
An atelier above the souk, where you can get any inscription you want.
A brief passing look into a Madrassa (religious school) in Old Cairo.
Al Darb, a young trendy space close to the Coptic quarters in Cairo. This venue hosts concerts, art galleries, weavers, blacksmiths, instrument makers, potters... it is a striving community that attracts Cairo's hipster youth.
The eye of Fatima, an ever popular gift to ward off the evil eye.
Two Russian girls sleeping in a bus.
These tall blocks of flats have the best sea front view in Alexandria.
Sunset close at the Mosque.
Restaurants close to the sea front are popular venues to relax at the end of a hot day. The cool sea breeze attracts the locals who can be found having tea, smoking shisha, watching tv, playing cards and chatting till all evening. But come 10pm, everyone heads home. Girls especially are not allowed to be out late.
The sea front at Alexandria. For security measures, most of the space adjoining the sea is actually controlled by the army, hence the big blocks of concrete.
A view that has not changed in a thousand years
All these children want is to go back home and go back to school.
