Behind the glossy Instagram images lies another side of Chefchaouen... Chefchaouen. The Blue City. A magical oasis of pristine sapphire stairways and stunning azure lanes. Jasmine and oleander cascade over cerulean walls, a vivid rug of petals scattered across the cornflower cobbles. Ginger and white street cats laze in the cobalt shade, effortlessly pleased with themselves and their perfect accent colours. The smiles of Berber women beam from beneath decorated straw hats and baskets of herbs. Mysterious figures cloaked in woollen burnooses glide through the blue dream world. At least that ..read more

The story of a short but transformative encounter in Fes, Morocco. The arched mouth of Bab Bou Jeloud vomited me out of the churning medina, exhausted and drenched in sweat. I stood disorientated, panting like an old dog in the furnace of midday heat, until I spied a shimmering mirage across the street. Limping towards the vision, I kept my eyes fixed firmly on the stone bench beneath the olive tree until my wobbly legs met its baking hot surface. I closed my eyes and gulped down my remaining water, now the temperature of a warm bath. As I released a loud sigh, the young woman beside me smile ..read more

World Peace Day exhibition at the Bosnian Embassy with Most Mira. Since 1981, 21st September has been recognised as the UN-sanctioned 'World Peace Day' - an opportunity to pause and refocus on efforts to build peace around the world. This year, Bosnian/UK peacebuilding charity Most Mira (of which I am a trustee) hosted an event with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in London . As part of this event, I presented an exhibition of paintings which explore the situation of young people growing up in modern-day Bosnia. Entitled 'Long Division', the artwork's message very much sets the scene a ..read more

Some questions and answers about new book 'Mirage'. I'm very happy to announce the publication of my new book 'Mirage'! After a series of small launch events, I thought I'd post some of the questions and answers from our discussions. If you have any other questions please drop me a message! Tell us in one sentence what the book is about. This is the story of two months I spent in the summer of 2019 working (or at least trying to work) in the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev region of Israel. Can you give us some context about the location and the Bedouin people? Bedouin is the plural ..read more

Illustrated Bedouin proverbs - ancient wisdom for modern times. I am working on another epic project - a book telling the story of my 2019 adventures in the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev desert. However, if you know me, you'll know that simply writing a book is far too straightforward a task. Therefore, the narrative is interspersed with research, snippets of conversations, photos and a series of illustrated traditional Bedouin proverbs. Bedouin Proverbs Much of Bedouin culture centres around oral traditions. Historically, proverbs and stories were used to transmit essential wisdom an ..read more

Creative writing attempting to capture the feeling of the third lockdown. There is no weather today. A blank greyness hangs over everything, muting colours and deadening thoughts. It isn't quite raining, nor is it dry. It is probably Tuesday or possibly Wednesday - such words have lost their meaning and purpose. The street is empty but for the sluggish sentries of blue recycling bins choked with Amazon packaging. The only sign of life is a lone fluorescent-clad jogger, frantically pounding and puffing down the pavement, trying to outrun his own soul. It is hard to settle, hard to concentrat ..read more

Gritty illustrations capturing Peckham in lockdown For the past 6 months I have been living in Peckham in south east London. Due to the ongoing lockdowns it has been difficult to get properly involved or embedded in the local community, however I have been a passionate observer of the debates and divisions in the area. This recent series of illustrations aims to capture the feeling of the area during the national lockdown. Background Peckham has gone through huge changes in its history - from a small, peaceful village centred around Peckham Rye park in the 1800s, to a heavily developed urb ..read more

Inspiration and ideas behind a new project exploring nomadic cultures. As someone who values freedom above security, I have long been fascinated - some might say obsessed - by nomadic cultures. Perhaps I have an overly romanticised view, or a simplistic understanding, but many of the core values of nomadic life seem to offer timely wisdom in our frantic, fragmented, materialistic world. The current pandemic has, of course, severely tested ideas of freedom and security, leading many of us to reassess our attitudes, assumptions and fundamental values. Societal cohesion, community, and our rela ..read more

Shortlisted artwork for the National Aids Trust's 'Be Red Ribbon Inspired' competition The above artwork was recently shortlisted in the National Aids Trust's 'Be Red Ribbon Inspired' competition.  As one of five finalists I enjoyed meeting Sir Anthony Gormley, Sandy Nairn and Chief Executive of the NAT Deborah Gold. The competition brief was to reinterpret the charity's iconic red ribbon in a way that reflects the National Aids Trust's work. The Message My artwork aimed to communicate three main messages. Firstly, as the NAT is a growing charity, always responding to changing opport ..read more

A series of semi-abstract artworks based on aerial views of London and Nablus.   I love flying over cities. I love seeing the familiar elements of buildings and roads transformed into unexpected abstract patterns.   Viewing a city from above also allows you to understand something of its character, culture and history. The tightly packed grid of fast-paced Manhattan, the crowded collision of old and new in the City of London, and the higgledy-piggledy rooftop chaos of cities in the Middle East all hint at how such places have evolved over time in response to their inhabitants' needs and ..read more