GUESTS at Swindon Arts Centre next week are to be treated to spectacular sights from another world when film director and photographer Harry Hook shines a light on his time in Africa.

Harry spent his childhood in Kenya and Sudan and has been filming and photographing stunning images of the African continent and its people for more than 40 years.

His photographs have been used extensively in newspapers and magazines and his work in film and documentary making have been screened on TV and in cinemas around the world.

Now he is bringing part of his spectacular portfolio of work to Swindon as he shares some of the sights that have left a lasting impact on his life.

He is renowned for his portraits, which have a compelling purity and directness set against black backdrops - thanks to tents he erected on the road as makeshift studios - in the hope of highlighting the individual personalities on every frame.

His work has received high praise from The No. 1 Laddies' Detective Agency author Alexander McCall Smith, who said: “About Africa is a wonderful book. The photographs are really magnificent. One can see the affection and understanding of Africa in every image."

One of Harry's most intriguing collections The Obama Wear project is still ongoing. It came about quite by chance in 2009 ago after he offered a lift to a Masai elder. Hook noticed a familiar name on the man's beanie ‘Obama’ and so the project was born. Hook sought out everything similarly emblazoned – from T-shirts to sarongs to branded underpants – worn by people of all ages and ethnicities across nine African countries.

Audiences can expect an unforgettable evening of extraordinary stories and unique film footage telling the epic story of Africa’s people and charting their inspiring journey from rural homes to the growing urban towns and cities of today.

His talk will feature a vast span of places and people that have had to adapt to the changes of the Africa’s landscape whilst shining fresh light on the past and present of this extraordinary part of our planet.

Harry Hook has worked in film and television on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as working as a photographer for Getty Images. His notable work for television includes the Sky One documentary Joanna Lumley & Final Chance to Save Orangutans and the BBC1 biographical docu-drama Kipling – A Remembrance Tale presented by Griff Rhys Jones.

Most recently his well-received documentary Photographing Africa was screened on BBC4 sharing his unique perspective of Africa’s changing face and following his incredible journey to northern Kenya to track down five Samburu women he first photographed 30 years ago.

He has also directed a number films and dramas such as the The Kitchen Toto, Lord of the Flies with Balthazar Getty, The Last of his Tribe featuring Jon Voight and All for Love starring Richard E Grant and Miranda Richardson.

He will be at the Arts Centre on Monday evening from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20. Group booking discounts are available.