It was a very disconcerting experience yesterday, flicking through the Observer website and coming across this story about photographer Giles Duley, who suffered horrific injuries from a landmine whilst working in Afghanistan.
An age ago I worked for a little music magazine called Seven. Whilst there we commissioned Giles to do a small project for us. As I recall his name was given to me from an old agent of his who was keen to get him working again after he fell out of love with photography and went through a soul searching period of his life (detailed in the article). I think it was because of this back-story to working with him that his name stuck with me and I’ve often wondered what was doing and how things worked out for him.
I have lived a very graced life, undisturbed by many malevolent forces, and one so far filled with much luck and good fortune. To read this story made me feel even more blessed. The horrors of what he went through are harrowingly conveyed in the story, especially the immediate aftermath of the explosion, and the clarity of thought in those moments.
I urge you to read it and if so inclined, contribute to his fund.
An exhibition of his work runs at the KKOutlet gallery in London until November 26
