Interview with Surrealist Tareck Raffoul

Tareck Raffoul is a photographer and film maker I recently met at Wilhelmina Dubai as I quite often interview and meet with new creatives in our effort to expand our roster for talent in the region. I love his surrealist visuals and am excited to work with him on upcoming fashion projects and shoots.

Your greatest inspirations?
Anything can inspire me to be honest, depending on the situation. I know that this might sound a bit odd, but I do get my inspiration when I lock myself in my bathroom, there the ideas flow. I always get with me pieces of paper and I start drawing or noting down ideas. It’s my favorite place to get inspired and to think peacefully.

Most interesting shoot so far?

I have to say it’s the surreal shoot I did call “let it go” it was a way for me to express what I was feeling at that time. I wasn’t in a good place and I found my way out through this photo.

Most interesting response to your work?
Well there is not one in specific. Every response I get on any of my work interests me. You see I express myself through the images I create, and having these messages getting through to people is one of the good things. I/m not necessarily talking about positive responses, bad critics are as important in helping me upgrade my work.

Other creatives whose work you really like?
I do make a lot of research and I try to keep up to date with the work of some creative artists I would find interesting, some of which are Tim Walker, David Lachapelle and Evelyn Bencicova. I am such a fan to the surreal world they create.

Any upcoming projects you are working on?

I am currently working on a series of photos portraying emotions and character in a very dark and surreal way. Hopefully I will be exhibiting this series in an art gallery in Dubai once I’m done.