Liban ELMI

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Trained as an engineer, Liban Elmi discovered photography during the COVID-19 pandemic, first as a way to document the world around him, and later as a deeper means of exploring the connections between people. Born in Somalia, he grew up in the Middle East and Europe before settling in Brighton, England. His work focuses on people, places, and cultures—on subtle details as well as the broader narratives that run through our shared lives—with a particular interest in moments of transition: the tension between tradition and change, solitude and connection, fragility and resilience. He has since undertaken long-term projects in the United Kingdom, East Africa, India, and across Europe, working in both black-and-white—to capture the essence—and in color—to convey the rhythm of daily life. He primarily photographs in 35mm and 50mm formats, using both film and digital cameras, often with high contrast. Among his recent projects, *Water Signs* explores humanity’s relationship with water around the world, while *Closing Time on the Pier* documents a pier’s transition from bustling activity to silence. His work has been selected for the Eyeshot Open Call, the Brussels Photofestival, Oslo Photo, Berlin Photo, and the Dublin Street Festival. An active member of the Brighton & Hove photography community, Liban Elmi is also the program manager of one of the oldest photography clubs in the United Kingdom.