Jamie Hewlett's views of the impact of climate change in Bangladesh on show

Children in waters surrounding the island Char Atra, Bangladesh, which is suffering more intense monsoons and flooding thanks to climate change. Jamie Hewlett, British graphic artist known for his work with Gorillaz, Tank Girl and the opera Monkey, visited Bangladesh with Oxfam to see first-hand the effects of climate change on communities there. His work will be on display at the Old Truman Brewery in London until October 31 Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

Bangladeshi children on Char Atra Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

Hewlett's work on Char Atra explores the impact of climate change on an island community. He found a country disappearing under water. The experience inspired a sensitive, thought-provoking series of watercolours Photograph: Bashir Ahmed Sujan/Oxfam

'This is in Dhaka where most people's transport is the rickshaw. It seemed the right thing to draw really, cycling through the floods.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

'This is the river erosion, showing how the bank has almost been sliced away. You can see the men folk looking at us on our boat - watching us quizzically as to who we are. I liked the idea of putting the paintings on paper and envelopes that were a bit dog-eared, as if they had been dropped in a puddle.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

'This shows the kids up in the trees, which for many of them is the safest place to go during the floods. Gathering some food rations to keep them going and climbing up, staying there for as long as they can.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam/Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

'This is another crop store. It looked like it would be able to withstand the flood. The people don't have much to work with, so this is quite ingenious. They just raise it up above what they think the flood level is.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam/Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

'This is one of the stacks that we saw which shows how the villagers store their crops. It's built up on a platform so the water doesn't wash it away. It's attached to an old tree and on top of the mound they have netting which is fastened so it all stays intact.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam/Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

'This is a picture of a beautiful little girl who looks like Mowgli from the Jungle Book,' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam/Oxfam

'This is one of my little friends, [Zahid Hossain, aged 5] looking up at the sky wondering when the rains will come.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

'We followed these two girls in the village looking happy and smiling. The children always looked so innocent. I wanted to portray the next generation and their future in an optimistic but realistic way – and show what a beautiful place Char Atra is. I think many people have sadly become numb (or immune) to footage of dying children. If people can relate to a picture, then it can sometimes have more of an impact. Showing two children being playful, walking down a path with their arms around each other is a connection that people here might understand from their own or their children's experiences.' Jamie Hewlett Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam/Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam

Hewlett at work Char Atra Photograph: Bashir Ahmed Sujan/Oxfam

Hewlett producing preliminary sketches in Char Atra Photograph: b.a Sujan/Map/Oxfam

Hewlett becomes a human canvas for local children in Char Atra Photograph: Bashir Ahmed Sujan/Oxfam

Villagers in Char Atra, Bangladesh Photograph: b.a Sujan/Map//Oxfam

Water levels are rising throughout Bangladesh as a result of climate change Photograph: Bashir Ahmed Sujan/Oxfam

Sunset near Char Atra, Bangladesh Photograph: Jamie Hewlett/Oxfam