Honoring the Legacy of James Foley
James “Jim” Foley, a dedicated conflict journalist and Medill alumnus, spent his career documenting the harrowing civil wars in Libya and Syria. His mission was to amplify the voices of those caught in the crossfire, driven by the belief that storytelling could spark vital political and social change. In 2012, Foley was captured in Syria; two years later, his tragic death at the hands of his captors shocked the world.
To honor Foley’s life and work, artist Bradley McCallum created Inescapable Truths, a moving series of oil paintings based on Foley’s own video footage. Tactic collaborated with McCallum to deepen this tribute through Augmented Reality. By integrating Foley’s original video into an AR layer, the project allows viewers to look beyond the canvas and experience the raw, moving imagery that inspired each piece.
This immersive approach creates a powerful dialogue between art and journalism, bringing Foley’s presence back into the light. The exhibition was featured at the Northwestern University Library and the Dittmar Gallery in the Spring of 2025, offering a layered, visceral interpretation of the "inescapable truths" Foley gave his life to expose.
Content warning for visitors
The video clips in the AR experience are from Foley’s raw footage. What he captured is sometimes graphic and violent. Each painting includes specific content warnings where applicable. We recognize that the content may be triggering for some people.
