The short video A Studio Visit with Michal Chelbin is available to watch at the top of the page.
Step into the alluring realm of Michal Chelbin’s portraits and embark on a journey of discovery. We invite you to watch the accompanying video at the top of the page to appreciate Chelbin’s thought-provoking photographic approach more deeply. Chelbin is a distinguished photographer whose art exquisitely illuminates universal themes such as family relationships, identity, gender, the struggles of adolescence, and the quest for fame. Through her perceptive lens, Chelbin explores and documents institutions that enforce rigid regulations and strict aesthetics, journeying extensively to showcase these unique communities.
Her compelling portraits represent a harmonious blend of documentary and staged photography. Utilizing film and natural light, she captures the very spirit of her subjects. Her subjects, according to Chelbin, possess a “legendary quality between the odd and ordinary.” Through her striking imagery, she illuminates the universally awkward phase of growing up and masterfully establishes an intimate connection with her subjects.
Chelbin’s photography prompts you to delve beyond the meticulous aesthetics, drawing you into a world where lost gazes and alienation are as palpable as the scenery itself. Her exceptional talent has been widely recognized, leading to the creation of four monographs, including Strangely Familiar: Acrobats, Athletes and other Traveling Troupes, and How to Dance the Waltz. Her portraits have found their way into premier private and public collections around the world, gracing institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Getty Center in Los Angeles, and the Tel Aviv Museum. Michal Chelbin’s work is so respected that it’s been collected by the iconic Sir Elton John himself.
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Michal Chelbin’s portraits, and through them, experience a fresh, insightful perspective on universal themes.
