Giles Duley

16 to 30 August

Inspiring photographer Giles Duley is set to bring his emotive exhibition, ‘I Can Only Tell You What My Eyes See’, to The Gallery as part of the annual arts festival, Journeys Festival International Leicester from 16 to 30 August 2019 as well as deliver an insightful, free artist talk on Thursday 22 AugustExploring the diversity of the refugee experience through artistic and creative encounters, and platforming refugee and asylum seeker artists themselves, the 15 day Festival, produced by ArtReach, will showcase the series of a hundred images at De Montfort University.

Sunita Patel, Senior Public Engagement Officer at De Montfort University told us, “The opportunity to host Giles Duley’s work was a chance not to be missed. The exhibition is, in itself, incredibly touching and offers a rare insight into the lives of those affected by the migration crisis. Then taking into account Giles’ personal journey and experiences, it makes this work even more relevant and more poignant than ever. Working in partnership with the Festival allows the University to bring important art to a wider audience in Leicester and we’re looking forward to hosting the exhibition.”

Since October 2015, the UK photographer has documented the experiences of refugees for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) after already spotlighting the families affected in his work for years.

The photographer shares their stories with his characteristic empathy after criss-crossing Europe and the Middle East to visit 14 countries to capture the extent of the crisis. In a seven-month project, from Lebanon and Lesvos to the camps of Jordan and Iraq, he has put together over a hundred original photographs, complemented thoughtfully by texts from Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the artist and musician, Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack.