Rehab Eldalil

Photographer / Based in Cairo

Documentary photographer and visual storyteller based in Egypt. Rehab's work focuses on the broad theme of identity explored through participatory practices. Having lived in the US during 9/11 and experienced rising xenophobia then... read on
Focus: Photographer, Photojournalist, Writer, Travel, Environment, Documentary, Creative, Photography, Portraiture, Art, Journalist Investigative, Student, Freelance, Impact, Assignments
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About
Available in: Cairo
Focused on: Photographer, Photojournalist, Writer, Travel, Environment, Documentary, Creative, Photography, Portraiture, Art, Journalist Investigative, Student, Freelance, Impact, Assignments
Coverage Regions: Africa Middle East
Languages Spoken: Arabic (mother tongue), English (fluent), Spanish (basic)
Years of experience: 6 to 10
HEFAT certification? no
Documentary photographer and visual storyteller based in Egypt. Rehab's work focuses on the broad theme of identity explored through participatory practices. 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.

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. In her long term ongoing project The Longing Of The Stranger Whose Path Has Been Broken, Rehab is collaborating with the Bedouin community to depict a contemporary portrayal of the Bedou’ identity. The project invites the community to engage with the photographic bodies of work including their commentary in traditional mediums such as poetry, sound and embroidery. The project has been shortlisted for the Catchlight fellowship 2020 and granted Magnum Foundation’s Arab Documentary Photography Program 2020. After receiving her photography MA with distinction award from Falmouth University, UK, Rehab is currently working on a branched chapter of the project focusing on the Bedouin community’s responses and resilience during the covid-19. The chapter has been awarded the National Geographic Society’s Emergency grant for Journalists 2020. Rehab’s focus has led to studying online at the International Center Of Photography 2020/21 in which she aims to develop her project, research, collaborations and visual approach furthermore as she remains based in Egypt.

Awards & Nominations 
Marilyn Stafford Award, 2021, shortlist
World Press Photo Awards, Contemporary Issues category, 2021, shortlist
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, shortlist
Marilyn Stafford Award, 2020, shortlist
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 
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 
Jamii/The Journal collective exhibition, Toronto, 2021
The Everyday Projects collective exhibition / Cairo Photo Week, Cairo, 2021
ICP concerned, New York, 2020 online and installation
Photo Fringe festival, UK, 2020
Athens Photo Festival, Greece, 2020
Landings, Falmouth University graduates exhibition, online, 2020
Youth of Egypt, Carte Blanche, Egypt, 2019
Territory, by Native, Kunsthaus Flora, Berlin, 2019