I met Haider at the hospital ship which was moored off a tiny and remote island in Northern Bangladesh in May 2022. Haider was waiting to have surgery on his cataract and the hospital ship which was funded by the social purpose organisation Friendship was the only way that he could have this surgery as it was almost impossible to make the long and expensive journey to the mainland hospital.

Haider was a resolute and hopeful man, he stood tall and upright and he told me of his life on the island and how hard it had been as the constant threat of floods meant that he and others on the island were constantly moving. Haider was like many that I met on my travels, he was defiant and would not give up, he had the love of his family and community and this gave him incredible strength. 

“Haider” is also available as a signed limited edition print, please see the “Bangladesh and Climate Change” series on the limited edition print section of the website.

If you would like to commission a portrait please contact James by email james@jamesearleyartist.com or by mobile 0044 7551616352