As a photographer and storyteller, Giles Duley writes about life during war, rather than war itself, in a powerful, thoughtful and passionate work. He recently opened “Distortion / Memory / Resilience,” a two-week exhibition in New York that showcases his powerful images, with some artistic touches offered alongside them. Two children's wooden school desks, placed in a simple room and filled with drawings made by children in Ukraine, for example, make one pause for thought.
The event differs from the typical gallery setup you'll see at Frieze or other art fairs. Duley's contribution—an intense and thought-provoking experience—shows characters affected by the ongoing cycle of war. The show is set inside an apartment on the 77th floor of the new Sutton Tower development on the Upper East Side, with the best view of New York City you'll ever see, down below.
Duley initially made a name for himself by photographing rock and pop bands (Oasis, Blur, Lenny Kravitz) for British magazines such as Select and GQ. But he became disillusioned with that life and set out to do something more profound with his camera. A career spent in war zones—Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine—followed. He also founded his own NGO, the Legacy of War Foundation, which helps those trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Because when tanks and bombs and soldiers and journalists have packed up and left, there are citizens who have forgotten the country and need to rebuild their lives with very little. Since 2017, LoW has raised more than $4 million to support conflict-affected communities in Ukraine, Rwanda and Lebanon. (Proceeds from the sale of Duley's current play will go to the foundation.)
Duley himself understands the direct impact of war better than most. In 2011, he was injured by an IED while serving in Afghanistan. He almost died. He was carried out by two US paratroopers, put into a coma, flown home to the UK and, after multiple operations, now has two prosthetic legs and one arm. Such a terrible accident was life-changing, yes, but the photographer didn't let it stop him in any way. He is still as active, busy and open to new ideas as ever.
Duley was recently “outed” by Reuters in their search for the true identity of British street artist Banksy. While trying to trace the unknown artist using murals he had painted on bombed-out walls in Ukraine, Simon Gardner, James Pearson and Blake Morrison wrote, “We also discovered that the two men who painted the wall were accompanied by Giles Duley, a man with one arm and prosthetic legs.” Duley doesn't talk about his work with Banksy, but it's great that he helped the artist's work in Ukraine using one of his Legacy of War ambulances. This is another impressive thing about Duley. His disability doesn't bother him at all. He says: “I'm very stubborn. “Besides that.”
Part of the immersion of “Distortion/Memory/Resilience” is meeting Duley himself. New Yorkers are very lucky to get a glimpse of this man, as he is usually based in the UK and is always on the road. Duley is a born raconteur. When he's not on the battlefield, he speaks at conferences around the world, teaching thought leaders and entrepreneurs about the importance of resilience and the power to understand the plight of others. I was lucky enough to interview him at the famous V&A Museum in London in 2025, and the audience was captivated from start to finish, some guests were crying as they came up to shake his hand; it is hard not to be moved by this man's unique and incredible story.
Duley hosted the dinners as part of his New York show, prepared by himself—known as the “one-armed chef,” he had his own cooking show on Vice. These are open to the public, featuring food from different parts of the world that take one on a journey. After these dinners, Duley tells stories—stories you'll never forget. Duley says: “Food has always been my health, the yin and yang of the work I do.
Duley has collaborated with Angelina Jolie on several projects. About Duley, he says, “While others carry a weapon to fight, he carries his camera. With the same fire and determination of any leading soldier who defends his country or people, he shoots with his camera to protect and fight for humanity to win… Wars and weapons of war have taken his limbs, challenged his humanity and could have broken his spirit. Thirty-seven years a man's desire cannot break the line of thirty-seven years. He is human. from whom I have learned so much, a deep, thoughtful soul who has restored my faith more than once.
Duley is also an explorer for the luxury travel company Kensington, which organizes high-quality trips for curious minds and runs a program that “supports a group of intrepid storytellers and explorers around the world who are committed to advancing our connections with each other and this world.” Which means he's on the road a lot and won't be in New York City for long. Go to work, stay for ideas. And if you're lucky enough to meet Duley himself, you're in for a rare treat.
“Distortion / Memory / Resilience” is at Sutton Tower, New York, until May 24, 2026. Views are there by appointment. Dinner tickets are available here.
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