Born and raised in Dubai, a philosophical photographer, Saeed Khalifa, is also a profound artist who is closely bonded to his Emarati roots. He currently lives, works and studies in the city he loves: Dubai.

He was approached by Dubai-based The Ara Gallery to submit work for their grand opening and has had great collaborations with them. “I am thankful for that, having such amazing people to work with,” he said.

His first exhibition ever was with Tashkeel. I take Tashkeel as my birthplace artistically. “I am very grateful for them. They believed in my work.

He says the galleries pushed his boundaries and loves them for it. His first piece was sold for charity at the grand opening of The Ara Gallery in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and Christie's during the auction.

“It was so surreal. I remember after the hammer dropped, I drank six glasses of water and could barely stand. No seriously, it was so overwhelming. 100 percent of the proceeds went to the charity to build houses. Isn’t that amazing?!”

The artist being deeply emotional also has a passion for arts in music, filmmaking and fashion.

Arab News talked to the man behind the lens, for the first time in Saudi Arabia.
 

I spent time between Dubai and Lebanon. I’ve always been to this side of the world (art equation of it). I never had any interest in what other boys my age were into. No cars and no action man figures. It was all about the crayons for me — on paper, on walls and on my clothes.

My creative journey started with drawing. I was very focused on illustrating and animation. I never found myself in the medium; it was too scattered for me. I had no emotional attachment to it as I grew up. The first photo I took was of myself using a phone camera, which I manipulated with Photoshop. I think I turned myself into a vampire, blackened my eyes out. I didn’t want to be human I think.
 

The Ara Gallery was generous enough to offer me an opportunity to make it happen. They stood by me creatively and emotionally during the whole process. It wasn’t easy at all since I went through ups and downs personally. It was an emotional trip. I am a very emotional person, and it’s hard for me to function when I am under a lot of pressure, therefore, yes, I think my solo exhibition, “FABULA,” is a personal triumph. The process of making the show had too many personal ties to be kept professional.
 

One of my biggest dreams (I have many believe me) is to be exposed on an international market. I don’t want to be Da Vinci; I want to be Saeed Khalifa. I want to see that. I want to see my name as an established artist in the world and bridge the Middle Eastern art scene on an international market. I want to go down in history (for my artwork and hopefully for philanthropic efforts).

There a lot of things that I do in life and a part of it is studying artists that I love. I want to be studied by people — myself and my artwork — to have myself extended through people.
 

My mother is a photographer — not a professional one, but she loves photography and literally has thousands of albums filled with photos she took of us as kids and of scenery — who really influenced me into getting into photography.
 

Yes, I would without a doubt and not just through a lens. I want to see people like me not struggle with showing their work. Everyone deserves a piece of the pie. I am making it my mission to make this happen (whichever way possible). For now, all I can do is inspire and help people go into the right places. Hopefully, all of us together. This isn’t about me. It’s about all of us here in the Middle East. We need more exposure internationally in the art field. There’s a lot of exciting things going on which is great, but we need more, more, more!
 

I say use anything you can find! Technicals are good, but it’s not as important as people think. A few photos I took were published in a magazine at the age of 17 using a Nokia phone camera (my darkest, deepest secret that people just found out about). Technology does not stop you. Just click, click, click and things will happen!

I currently use Canon cameras and a few vintage film cameras (for those who are not convinced with my above reply). I am very loyal to Canon.
 

I follow a lot of photographers. I am in love with the artwork of Ahmed Mater, Yousif Nabil and Sherine Neshat from the Middle East.

From other places of the world I love: