Introduction
Born and currently based in Cairo, Egypt, Rehab Eldalil is a documentary photographer and visual storyteller. Her work focuses on the broad theme of identity explored through participatory creative practices.
Biography
In 2011, as she was graduating with a photography BA, Rehab was also participating in the Jan25 Egyptian revolution, as a result, she co-authored a best selling photo book called The Road To Tahrir. Since then, Rehab has been working on assignments with NGOs such as Drosos Foundation and UNICEF documenting social and cultural concerns in Egypt while developing her personal projects. During her time teaching photography for graduate and undergraduate levels at the American University in Cairo between 2013 and 2015, Rehab began her research on identity, representation and collaborative approaches in visual storytelling. Reconnecting to her Bedouin ancestry, Rehab co-founded Catherine Exists; a volunteer-based community center that empowers Bedouin communities in South Sinai and provides medical and educational services.
She has received her photography MA with distinction award from Falmouth University, UK (long distance). Her long-term project The Longing Of The Stranger Whose Path Has Been Broken was shortlisted for the Philip Jones awards 2021, Marilyn Stafford award 2021 and Catchlight fellowship 2020, she was awarded AFAC & Magnum Foundation’s Arab Documentary Photography Program grant 2020, National Geographic Society’s Emergency grant for Journalists 2020 and Creative Activism award 2021.
After finishing her one year certificate degree at ICP, Rehab is currently working on the production of her long term project in a book format, starting a new project on mother/daughter relationships and continuing her research on collaboration in visual storytelling. Rehab is available for assignments in Egypt and Africa/Middle East region.
Statement
Having lived in the US during 9/11 and experienced rising xenophobia then returning back to Egypt where years later she participated in the Jan25 Egyptian revolution, Rehab uses her personal experiences as creative inspiration. As an advocate for native Bedouin community rights in Sinai and a licensed scuba diver and experienced mountain trekker Rehab is drawn to topics that challenge linear identities and oriental ideologies. With rising issues on borders, stigma and general loss of identity around the world, her work advocates for social justice and understanding.
Awards & Nominations
The British Journal Of Photography's Ones To Watch, 2021
Everyday Projects Grant, 2021, finalist
Marilyn Stafford Award, 2021, honourable mention
World Press Photo Awards, Contemporary Issues category, 2021, shortlisted
Philip Jones Griffiths Award, 2021, honourable mention
Creative Activism Award, 2021, grantee
National Geographic Society Emergency Grant for Journalists, 2020, grantee
Arab Documentary Photography Program, 2020, grantee
Photo Fringe Solo20, 2020, shortlisted
Marilyn Stafford Award, 2020, shortlisted
The Royal Photographic Society Best Graduates Feature, 2020
Catchlight Fellowship, 2020, honourable mention
Art Jameel Grant for Artists, 2020, grantee
Joop Swart Masterclass, 2020, nominee
Membership
Women Photograph
Diversify Photo
RUWA
World Press’ African Photojournalism Database
Native Agency
Education
Documentary Practice & Visual Journalism, The International Center of Photography, (online), 2020-2021
Photography MA, distinction award, Falmouth University, UK (online), 2018-2020
Photography BA, Helwan University, Egypt, 2006-2011
Workshops
Canon Student Development Programme, taught by Lars Lindemann and Aida Muluneh, 2020
Noor-Nikon Masterclass, trained by Tanya Habjouqa, Jon Lowenstein and Sebastein Liste, Spain, 2019
International Summer School Of Photography, trained by Tanya Habjouqa, Latvia, 2019
Selected Exhibitions
Hamburg Portfolio Reviews exhibition, Hamburg, 2021
Oceano Alterado, The Journal collective exhibition, Sao Paulo, 2021
Looks Like Us, The Journal collective exhibition, Toronto, 2021
New Stories New Horizons, The Everyday Projects collective exhibition at Cairo Photo Week, Cairo, 2021
ICP concerned, New York, 2020
Photo Fringe festival, United Kingdom, 2020
Athens Photo Festival, Athens, 2020
Landings, Falmouth University graduates exhibition, online, 2020
Youth of Egypt, Carte Blanche, Egypt, 2019
Territory, by Native, Kunsthaus Flora, Berlin, 2019
Talks Conducted
Women Photograph Workshop events, 2021
The Royal Photographic Society, 2020
Languages
Arabic (mother tongue)
English (fluent)
Spanish (basic)
Born and currently based in Cairo, Egypt, Rehab Eldalil is a documentary photographer and visual storyteller. Her work focuses on the broad theme of identity explored through participatory creative practices.
Biography
In 2011, as she was graduating with a photography BA, Rehab was also participating in the Jan25 Egyptian revolution, as a result, she co-authored a best selling photo book called The Road To Tahrir. Since then, Rehab has been working on assignments with NGOs such as Drosos Foundation and UNICEF documenting social and cultural concerns in Egypt while developing her personal projects. During her time teaching photography for graduate and undergraduate levels at the American University in Cairo between 2013 and 2015, Rehab began her research on identity, representation and collaborative approaches in visual storytelling. Reconnecting to her Bedouin ancestry, Rehab co-founded Catherine Exists; a volunteer-based community center that empowers Bedouin communities in South Sinai and provides medical and educational services.
She has received her photography MA with distinction award from Falmouth University, UK (long distance). Her long-term project The Longing Of The Stranger Whose Path Has Been Broken was shortlisted for the Philip Jones awards 2021, Marilyn Stafford award 2021 and Catchlight fellowship 2020, she was awarded AFAC & Magnum Foundation’s Arab Documentary Photography Program grant 2020, National Geographic Society’s Emergency grant for Journalists 2020 and Creative Activism award 2021.
After finishing her one year certificate degree at ICP, Rehab is currently working on the production of her long term project in a book format, starting a new project on mother/daughter relationships and continuing her research on collaboration in visual storytelling. Rehab is available for assignments in Egypt and Africa/Middle East region.
Statement
Having lived in the US during 9/11 and experienced rising xenophobia then returning back to Egypt where years later she participated in the Jan25 Egyptian revolution, Rehab uses her personal experiences as creative inspiration. As an advocate for native Bedouin community rights in Sinai and a licensed scuba diver and experienced mountain trekker Rehab is drawn to topics that challenge linear identities and oriental ideologies. With rising issues on borders, stigma and general loss of identity around the world, her work advocates for social justice and understanding.
Awards & Nominations
The British Journal Of Photography's Ones To Watch, 2021
Everyday Projects Grant, 2021, finalist
Marilyn Stafford Award, 2021, honourable mention
World Press Photo Awards, Contemporary Issues category, 2021, shortlisted
Philip Jones Griffiths Award, 2021, honourable mention
Creative Activism Award, 2021, grantee
National Geographic Society Emergency Grant for Journalists, 2020, grantee
Arab Documentary Photography Program, 2020, grantee
Photo Fringe Solo20, 2020, shortlisted
Marilyn Stafford Award, 2020, shortlisted
The Royal Photographic Society Best Graduates Feature, 2020
Catchlight Fellowship, 2020, honourable mention
Art Jameel Grant for Artists, 2020, grantee
Joop Swart Masterclass, 2020, nominee
Membership
Women Photograph
Diversify Photo
RUWA
World Press’ African Photojournalism Database
Native Agency
Education
Documentary Practice & Visual Journalism, The International Center of Photography, (online), 2020-2021
Photography MA, distinction award, Falmouth University, UK (online), 2018-2020
Photography BA, Helwan University, Egypt, 2006-2011
Workshops
Canon Student Development Programme, taught by Lars Lindemann and Aida Muluneh, 2020
Noor-Nikon Masterclass, trained by Tanya Habjouqa, Jon Lowenstein and Sebastein Liste, Spain, 2019
International Summer School Of Photography, trained by Tanya Habjouqa, Latvia, 2019
Selected Exhibitions
Hamburg Portfolio Reviews exhibition, Hamburg, 2021
Oceano Alterado, The Journal collective exhibition, Sao Paulo, 2021
Looks Like Us, The Journal collective exhibition, Toronto, 2021
New Stories New Horizons, The Everyday Projects collective exhibition at Cairo Photo Week, Cairo, 2021
ICP concerned, New York, 2020
Photo Fringe festival, United Kingdom, 2020
Athens Photo Festival, Athens, 2020
Landings, Falmouth University graduates exhibition, online, 2020
Youth of Egypt, Carte Blanche, Egypt, 2019
Territory, by Native, Kunsthaus Flora, Berlin, 2019
Talks Conducted
Women Photograph Workshop events, 2021
The Royal Photographic Society, 2020
Languages
Arabic (mother tongue)
English (fluent)
Spanish (basic)