Of Innocence and of Experience overlays photographs of modern-day soldiers as children with images of their time deployed, visually bridging the gap between the innocence of youth and the profound impact of war. By layering these personal childhood portraits over images from their military service, the work creates a striking juxtaposition that highlights the stark contrast between these two phases of life.

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This visual dialogue invites viewers to reflect on the transformation experienced by individuals who served during the global war on terror, from the U.S. interventions in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 onward. The overlay of childhood and deployment images forces an intimate confrontation with the loss of innocence and the weight of lived experience. The project explores how war shapes not only the adult soldiers but also the remnants of the children they once were, linking their pasts with their present.

Through these layered images, Of Innocence and of Experience captures the enduring emotional and psychological effects of war, revealing the deep connection between the soldiers’ formative years and their experiences in conflict. It offers viewers a space to contemplate how these individuals reconcile the innocence of childhood with the responsibilities, trauma, and resilience born from military service, ultimately highlighting the lasting human cost of conflict