Ali Sabouki: exploring humanity
Ali Sabouki was born in Shiraz, Iran. He was attracted to art from an early age, with a particular passion for photography and design.
He went on to study art, choosing set design as his main subject, while working as a designer for film and theater. Although photography is his main medium, he also uses other media such as music, sculpture and performance to create his artworks.
Portraiture and conceptual photography soon became his preferred modes of expression. While his photos are haunting, they are also inspired by the old masters of painting. At the same time, they have a mission: to explore humanity, to bring people face to face with their forgotten inner truths, and to open a door to the infinite galaxies of their minds. An anecdote about the abandonment, emptiness and wandering of today’s human being that we all have in common around the world. A moment captured between worlds, an effort that art makes to save man.
Exhibition from 27 Nov to 3 Dec 2023
Galerie d’Art
13, rue Mazarine
Paris 6e
Instagram : alisabouki
Your first photographic trigger ?
Ali Sabouki : I had my first photographic trigger as a kid.
The man or woman of image who inspires you?
Ali Sabouki : Rembrandt with out any doubt.
The image you would have liked to make?
Ali Sabouki : The image of my childhood.
The one that moved you the most?
Ali Sabouki : The photography of Embraces Series.
And the one that made you angry?
Ali Sabouki : Every photography without conceptual.
A key image in your personal pantheon?
Ali Sabouki : Johann Sebastian Bach.
A photographic memory from your childhood?
Ali Sabouki : The old family photos.
With no budget limit, what would be the work you would dream of acquiring?
Ali Sabouki : A serie mixing Photo, Music, performance, Video Art and and Dance.
According to you, what is the necessary quality to be a good photographer?
Ali Sabouki : In my point of view the necessary quality to be a good photographer is to have a high education of visual art, in the semantic way and also to know as much as possible about technique, light, colors and composition.
The secret of the perfect image, if it exists?
Ali Sabouki : The light.
The person you would like to photograph?
Ali Sabouki : Shakyamuni Buddha.
An indispensable photo book?
Ali Sabouki : Master of Details.
The camera of your childhood?
Ali Sabouki : My Eyes.
The one you use today?
Ali Sabouki : Fuji GFX 50S II.
Your favourite drug?
Ali Sabouki : Classical Music.
The best way to disconnect for you ?
Ali Sabouki : Meditation and Music.
What is your relationship with the image ?
Ali Sabouki : It’s Part of myself.
Your greatest quality ?
Ali Sabouki : Deliverance
Your latest folly?
Ali Sabouki : It is about photographiing one of my favourite person but he passed away before I could do his portrait
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Ali Sabouki : A photo of a smiling baby.
The job you would not have liked to do ?
Ali Sabouki : Anything not related to Art.
Your greatest professional extravagance?
Ali Sabouki : Making a movie.
What do you think are the bridges between photography and design?
Ali Sabouki : Creativity
The city, the country or the culture you dream of discovering?
Ali Sabouki : Japan.
The place you never get tired of ?
Ali Sabouki : The Louvre Museum.
In terms of social networks, are you more into Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok or Snapchat and why?
Ali Sabouki : Instagram, because it’s faster and great for a visual artist.
Color or B&W?
Ali Sabouki : Color.
Daylight or artificial light?
Ali Sabouki : Artificial light.
Which city do you think is the most photogenic?
Ali Sabouki : Paris.
If God existed would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Ali Sabouki : Definitely I would do a portrait.
If I could organise your ideal dinner party, who would be at the table?
Ali Sabouki : My closest Friends.
The image that represents for you the current state of the world?
Ali Sabouki : Anarchy but hopefully.
What is missing in today’s world?
Ali Sabouki : Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance.
If you had to start all over again?
Ali Sabouki : I would like to be a musician.
A last word ?
Ali Sabouki : Human beings are all created from the same material and form a whole. So, in theory, if one member suffers, the others feel it.
So I’d say that anyone who isn’t touched by the evil of others doesn’t deserve to be called Man.