Rania Matar was born and raised in Lebanon. After studying architecture at American University in Beirut, Rania left Lebanon in 1984 and completed her training at Cornell University in the United States. She studied photography at the New England School of Photography and at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Mexico with Magnum photographer Constantine Manos, and eventually gave up her career as an architect to work as a freelance photographer.

Rania has traveled widely in the Middle East and has photographed street scenes in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Her work focuses mainly on women and children in the Middle East, and her recent projects – which examine the Palestinian refugee camps, the veil and its meanings, and the aftermath of war – give a voice to people who have been forgotten or misunderstood. In Boston where she lives, she photographs regularly the daily lives of her four children. She develops and prints all of her work.

Her work has won several awards, and has been published and exhibited widely in the United States and internationally in Germany, Argentina, Syria and most recently in Lebanon as part of "Moving Walls." For a detailed list of her upcoming and past exhibits, please see the exhibits page. Rania has been featured in numerous publications, most recently in the Boston Globe, "Finding Humanity Among Ruin," and in the SouthEnd News, "Photographing the Human Spirit."

Rania currently works full-time as a freelance photographer. While she is interested in pursuing her personal long term projects, she is also available for documentary, editorial and/or portrait assignments. You can contact her directly to discuss her involvement and possible commissions on photographic projects, or if you are interested in licensing or purchasing an archival print or discussing exhibition opportunities.

Rania is represented by Gallery Kayafas, 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston MA, 617-482-0411.

CHARITABLE COLLABORATIONS WITH NGO's

The following NGOs are organizations for which Rania Matar has photographed. They are involved in helping the Palestinian refugees and the Lebanese population afflicted by the war. Click on the names below to learn more about their mission or if you would like to help.

• American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA)
• The Kanafani Foundation
• The Norwegian People Aid (NPA)
• Association Najdeh (e-mail)
• The National Institution of Social Care and Vocational Training

COLLECTIONS

• DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln MA
• "The Art of War" Collection, curated by Ms. Anne Wilkes Tucker, Houston TX
• Danforth Museum of Art
• Iowa Divine Word College
• Kresge Art Museum, Michigan State University
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston TX
• Portland Museum of Art
• The Beth and Anthony Terrana Private Collection
• Thomas Kellner Gallery Collection
• Numerous Private Collections