HALAL Signs Rising Star - Photographer Lois Cohen

May. 18, 2022

HALAL is expanding its photography talent pool by signing Lois Cohen, an award-winning photographer from Amsterdam whose powerful, highly individual and impactful work reflects a multitude of different worlds, where concepts that would clash in our current society, coexist in perfect harmony. Through her unusual upbringing and life experience she has developed a unique voice, deeply influenced by her love for everything childlike, whimsical and obscure.

But it doesn’t stop there - her niche is her passion for finding and photographing outstanding personalities, in what amounts to a celebration of the richness and diversity of human behaviour. She regularly puts the underdog and the eccentric in the spotlight, giving them the platform they deserve to startling effect.

HALAL Co-Founder, Executive Producer and Partner Gijs Determeijer comments:

“We have been watching Lois’ body of work with growing admiration and respect, and now that she’s part of the HALAL family, we simply could not be happier. Her talent for creating worlds is stellar, and her ability to touch the viewer on a surreal, visceral level is extraordinary. We cannot wait to see her bringing her visual magic to HALAL projects, and we look forward to being part of her further growth as an artist with a formidable and highly original vision.”

Cohen recently worked on the Spring Summer 22 campaign for OBEY. It was a shoot that saw her working together with some of Mexico City’s finest creatives to forcefully and artistically make a controversial point, that during these confused and trying times it’s easy to feel burdened or uncomfortable when celebrating life. The shoot was inspired by Mexico City’s ‘Salon de Fiestas’ markets, places that are dedicated to party supplies for every occasion. Cohen used that location to capture the experience of being at the centre of the party, yet feeling dissociated and lost, creating a campaign that sent her already stellar reputation soaring.

Cohen, who cites artists like Mike Kelley, Marina Abramovic but also Lil Kim and Tank Girl as inspirations and role models, was already a fan of HALAL’s output: