Award-winning Palestinian photographer discusses impact of art on social cohesion

Yousef Khanfar, a Palestinian-American award-winning photographer and author, discussed the impact of photography in bringing communities closer and bridging the gap between different nations in a lecture organized by Birzeit University’s Department of Media on May 14, 2019. 

Khanfar, who said that he has been practicing photography for more than 50 years, emphasized the importance of photography in giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized segments of the society. He discussed how his book, “Invisible Eve,” which sheds light on the lives and hopes of American women imprisoned for non-violent crimes, conveyed the message of individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be afforded such a platform. 

Stressing the effect of photography and art on societal cohesion and unity, Khanfar said that artists have the power to counter the negative effects of social media and other forms of mass communication, and disseminate local messages to an international audience. 

Yousef Khanfar is an award-winning international author, photographer, and humanitarian. In 2003, he was selected and listed as one of the World’s Top Photographers by RotoVision, among only 25 other professional photographers in the world. He has published three books: “Voices of Light,” "In Search of Peace,” and “Invisible Eve.”