Hebden Bridge Web

Experience the raw power of photography, the unbreakable courage of those living through war, and stories so gripping they will stay with you long after the evening ends.

Giles is one of the world's most powerful photographic storytellers. He says, 'that's all I am, a storyteller.' He will share with us the images and experiences that have shaped his life and work.

His photographs capture the human side of war, focusing on the lives of everyday people affected by conflict. This is not a talk about war, it focusses on photographs of the people caught up in it and how they try to survive.

After losing both legs and his left arm to an IED in Afghanistan, Giles' unique perspective allows him to share deeply personal and intimate stories of other people's resilience and survival. The loss of these limbs gave him greater insight and empathy into people's suffering and put him in a better position to tell their stories.

His work avoids the typical images of violence, instead it showcases quiet moments like a grandmother brushing a granddaughter's hair, a mother feeding her baby, a father on the floor doing lessons with his children.

Founder of the Legacy of War Foundation, Giles has dedicated his life to supporting communities in war-torn regions like Syria, Ukraine, and Rwanda. His work challenges the media's focus on political outcomes, instead highlighting the lasting human impact of war and the strength of those who rebuild after conflict.

Giles said of his work: 'I always try to eat with families and communities before I take photographs, it's how I connect, through that greatest of storytellers. Food is the antithesis of war. Where war is about breaking apart communities and families, food is about bringing them together. In food I find my peace.'

This promises to be a powerful and unforgettable evening.

With thanks to Roger Gill of the Lit&Sci for this info