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Nassim M. Hadjbenali is an artist photographer currently based in France. Nassim is a global soul, and has lived in and traveled to many parts of the world — this worldview shapes his art. One of the youngest working artists in Algeria, he has been awarded for his work and has had his portfolio recognized by the School of the ArtInstitute of Chicago, University of Central Missouri, and the Art Institute ofBoston.

Nassim’s work approaches social issues with a touch of sadness, melancholy and wisdom. In one of his most recent conceptual pieces, “Their Daily Life”, The artist recreates a gloomy scene: the point of view of a homeless man in front of the food he prepares daily, from improbable scavenged materials. The work was inspired by the scene “TabletopBallet” from the movie “The Gold Rush” by Charlie Chaplin (1926). Child Labor, homelessness, poverty — after addressing all of these social issues in his work, prejudice and intolerance are now his main focus.

Moving to the United States was the initial inspiration for his current work — “RE-FRAME ISLAM” By setting up studios inside mosques - in the United States and later Germany - and taking portraits of smiling Muslims, his goal is to unveil the side of Muslims that is never shown in mass media, to correct misconceptions, and enhance emotional intimacy between the viewer and the people photographed.

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–Statement written and edited by Lauren Cucinotta, Ex- Editor at TED.com –

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