The Hands That Feed Us

The Hands That Feed Us opens at Auger Collective this Friday 7 August, and it's on until 31 August. It's a photography exhibition put together by Dr Rehan Zia, and it's part of the Increase the Peace Festival 2026, presented by Art Unites and Ukraine Art & Artists.

Zia's main show is about the contributions migrants and refugees make to society, with a particular focus on Bournemouth. He's described it as a way of countering negative stereotypes by showing people as 'everyday, hardworking human beings' rather than the headlines we usually see. It's a local story told through portraits, so it's worth a look if you've spent any time in the town.

Alongside that, there's a second section curated by Iryna Tolokonnikova, founder of the Ukrainian Artists & Art cultural platform. She's brought together documentary portraits of Ukrainians working across different sectors in the UK, as well as contemporary visual art that looks at creativity, hospitality and cultural contribution. The two parts sit together in the same space, so you'll see the broader focus on migrants and refugees alongside a more specific look at the Ukrainian community here.

The opening reception is this Friday 7 August from 6pm to 8pm, with complimentary fizz and canapés provided by Bigwigs. After that, the exhibition is open 11am to 4pm daily through to 31 August, and entry is free.