Why I Spend Hours Drawing in Conflict Zones. A Talk by George Butler
The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH
Monday 15th June 2026 6:30PM
In an age of Generative AI and relentless digital news, artist and reporter George Butler offers a powerful alternative: slowing down to
truly see.
Through hand-drawn reportage from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Angola, and Gaza, George shares extraordinary human stories that
never reached the front pages — stories that bring depth, context, and empathy to most significant events of this century.
This visually rich, thought-provoking talk challenges audiences to look beyond headlines and photography, and to view the world through
an artist’s eyes: with empathy, compassion, and creativity.
About George:
Illustrator and artist-reporter George Butler reports from conflict zones, climate hotspots and humanitarian crises, using pen, ink and watercolour to tell deeply human stories that go beyond the headlines.
Over two decades he has documented frontline experiences from Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Nepal, Ukraine, Syria and Angola, focusing not on spectacle but on meaning, dignity and identity. George encourages a new perspective on the world’s most urgent stories and champions creativity in education, the home and the workplace.
George is the co-founder of ACTION SYRIA - a charity dedicated to ensuring Syrians have access to medical care and education. He has also authored two books - available to order:
Drawn Across Borders: True Stories of Human Migration (2021)
Ukraine: Remember Me Also - Testimonies from the War (2024).
truly see.
Through hand-drawn reportage from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Angola, and Gaza, George shares extraordinary human stories that
never reached the front pages — stories that bring depth, context, and empathy to most significant events of this century.
This visually rich, thought-provoking talk challenges audiences to look beyond headlines and photography, and to view the world through
an artist’s eyes: with empathy, compassion, and creativity.
About George:
Illustrator and artist-reporter George Butler reports from conflict zones, climate hotspots and humanitarian crises, using pen, ink and watercolour to tell deeply human stories that go beyond the headlines.
Over two decades he has documented frontline experiences from Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Nepal, Ukraine, Syria and Angola, focusing not on spectacle but on meaning, dignity and identity. George encourages a new perspective on the world’s most urgent stories and champions creativity in education, the home and the workplace.
George is the co-founder of ACTION SYRIA - a charity dedicated to ensuring Syrians have access to medical care and education. He has also authored two books - available to order:
Drawn Across Borders: True Stories of Human Migration (2021)
Ukraine: Remember Me Also - Testimonies from the War (2024).
Event Details
Starts at 6:30PM
Location
The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FHPrice
Ticket price
£8.00
