Cities
We’re looking at a restaurant in the port city of Djibouti. The image is typical of Elkoury’s work: the Lebanese photographer trained as an architect and urban space has been a constant feature in his work since he picked up a camera in 1979.
Waiting
It’s not certain whether the waiter is expecting any patrons. Is this a moment of waiting? Or resigned boredom?
Tension
Elkoury combines a fascination with the mundane aspects of cities with an ability to infuse a photograph with philosophical or emotional narratives. In this picture, where nothing much seems to be happening, there’s a palpable sense of apprehension.
History
The photograph sits in a solo exhibition titled Blues For The Orient. Taken from a song by Yusef Lateef, the name reflects the melancholic nature of Elkoury’s work, along with his taste for travel, and documenting the history of places, and their speculative future.
Rodeo, WC2, to 24 September
