HUMAN GALLERY - Joseba Etxebarria Photography — Attraction in Battambang

The importance of this space existing cannot be understated. If you are in Battambang, make the time to visit the Human Gallery with open eyes, ears and heart. You will leave changed, and if you listened deeply enough, challenged towards action.

The photography is in itself, breathtaking. Walking through the gallery is an experience of global eyes meeting your gaze. I took home many photographs as gifts for others, which I intend to share alongside their origin stories.

We saw first hand the commitment Joseba and his team have made toward supporting local communities in Battambang. The continual consequences of Covid have had a detrimental impact on their small teams capacity to offer protection, support and education to families who deserve it was undoubtedly uncomfortable to listen to. A primary example of the importance feeling discomfort can offer us; if we can stay with the discomfort of something which challenges our perspective, we can grow towards contributing something towards change.

This is where the role of responsible, sustainable tourism comes into play. As a visitor, I learnt a lot about the best ways to support local businesses. Writing reviews is one, but so is authentically engaging with the individuals you meet and listening to their stories. I am changed by the stories Joseba shared with us, and will carry them forward in my heart and into my footsteps.

In a world where seeds of division are sewn daily, it is beyond heartening to meet those whose hands are busy with change, engaged in the daily practice of continuation and fuelled by duty. If you want an experience which will shift the way you see the world, and invite you to recognise your belonging within the issues The Human Gallery is focused on, then this is the place.

Thank you, Joseba and colleagues, for the strength, courage and commitment you demonstrate, most especially in the effort it takes to share again and again with those who walk through the door. You add a world of colour to a story which is often told in...

I stumbled across the gallery by change and something just drew me in. I was quickly and warmly greeted by Joseba, the photographer, owner and story teller.

As the name may suggest his work focuses on humans, and the collection of images is a meticulous display of people in 2nd and 3rd world environments he has met while travelling the world.

In conversation I asked ‘Why Battambang?’ when referring to why choose here to settle and open his gallery. With a spreading of arms gesturing to both what was visible in the surrounds of the gallery but also the wider lands came a heartfelt simple response of ‘This!’

I’ve rarely encompassed or been touched by such passion.

His photos illicit their own stories for you to ponder over, but every photo has its own back story and Joseba shares this openly and warmly. Every photo has a life and only came to life through meeting, getting to know people and spending real time with them.

Having spent 4 years riding around the world on a bicycle you may be disappointed that there seems so few photos displayed and moreover there is but 1 o 2 of him or his bike.

Joseba shared with me the reason for choosing to travel by bike was he wanted to travel slow. In other words, to see and experience the world and people within in and not just whizz by. The travel by bike is not the story, it is just the means to the chosen end. (He is none the less duly proud of his bike adventure with folders of news articles and photos sitting inconspicuously on a side table)

I needed to invite my wife back to visit this special place, so was back there a few hours later. Joseba remembered my name and quickly offered us some wine as he again invited us into his life. We purchased a small print my wife fell in love with as well as some postcards.

Then with another trickle of people wandering in he had more greetings to make and important work to be left to do. I’m not usually one for galleries but meeting Joseba was a highlight of our 2 days...

I visited The Human Gallery in Battambang yesterday and was deeply moved by the experience. Jose’s personal story is one of incredible strength, compassion, and resilience. As I walked through the gallery, I was in awe not only of his photography – which captures the beauty, struggle, and humanity of life in Cambodia and across the world – but also of the heart behind each image.

Jose doesn’t just share his photos; he opens his life, his journey, and his mission to everyone who walks through the door. It opened my eyes to the kind of meaningful impact one person can have, and it’s inspired me to think more deeply about the work I want to do in the future to help others.

It’s heartbreaking to hear that due to funding issues and a drop in tourism, the gallery – and the children’s foundation Jose has also set up – are at risk of closing. This space is a rare gem, both emotionally and artistically, and we desperately need more people like Jose in the world.

Thank you, Jose, for your honesty, your vulnerability, and for creating such a powerful space for reflection and connection. I will forever remember my time at The...