Alexander Talbot Rice

Afghanistan

How it all began

I journeyed to Afghanistan for adventure and to photograph, draw and paint the human face of the afghan people at a pivotal moment in this country’s history.

This was made possible thanks to a friend of mine called Rory Stuart MP, the famous travel writer, diplomat and philanthropist, who invited me to see his development project called Turquoise Mountain Foundation, which in just three years has rebuilt the Old Town in Kabul, using traditional Afghan Building methods. This proved to me what is possible when one interacts with the Afghan people in a meaningful way through the universal language of art and culture.

A horse with no name

After staying with Rory for a month, I was keen to see more of this country, so in the Spring of 2009 I bought a horse and road five hundred miles with a couple of Afghan friends, over the pilgrim route along the Old Silk Route from Bamyan to Mazar-e-Sharif over the Hindu Kush.

I have since created the Being There Foundation - of which Kabul RFC is just one aspect; to try to repay the incredible hospitality I received along the way.

This is an unashamedly personal firsthand account of urban and rural Afghanistan through the eyes of an artist. Despite being drugged by bandits and spending a night sleeping in a pro Taliban village, I found peace, perspective and inspiration in this war torn country.

To be released shortly, my book entitled “A Horse With No Name” – because in Afghanistan it is unlucky to name a horse! Afghanistan through the eyes of an artist.