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INSIGHT

Life interrupted

A new exhibition on HIV/Aids in Africa features the work of one of the world’s leading photojournalists, DON MCCULLIN. Life Interrupted is his latest project in association with Christian Aid

Over the past four decades Don McCullin has recorded the ravages of war, conflict and change, but nothing prepared him for the devastation of Aids-ravaged Zambia and South Africa.

Life Interrupted, at the County Hall Gallery on London’s South Bank and on tour across the UK in 2005, looks at the impact that antiretroviral treatment (ART) has made on the lives of people living with HIV. The drugs are free in South Africa but cost an average £6 a month in Zambia, which puts them out of reach of most HIV positive sufferers.

McCullin first visited Zambia, South Africa and Botswana in 2000 and documented the lives of people living in desperate poverty affected by the pandemic. The startling images were exhibited in Cold Heaven, which opened at the Whitechapel Gallery in May 2001.

At the time, McCullin was angry about the world’s apathy towards what was fast becoming an international disaster. But in April this year he returned to Zambia and South Africa to record the changes the introduction of ART had brought to these impoverished countries. He retraced his steps and experienced ... hope.

The result was Life Interrupted, based on the work of two organisations supported by Christian Aid in south Africa – the Catholic Diocese of Ndola in Zambia (www.ccjp.org.zm/ccd/ndola) and Wola Nani (www.wolanani.co.za).

An estimated 700 community volunteers care for 900 Aids patients and 11,000 orphans through Ndola diocese. A support programme also operates through the Church of the Province of Southern Africa covering 23 Anglican dioceses and more than 1,000 parishes in six countries.

In South Africa, McCullin pictured two of his previous subjects, now receiving ART and doing well. However, Zambia told a very different story, the drugs are too costly for most people, and McCullin found himself photographing the orphans of Teresa, a young woman who had appeared in the first exhibition.

At the launch of Life Interrupted, Don said he used photographs as his ‘voice’ to deliver a message. “I’m not a speaker but my photos speak for me. In this exhibition, I wanted to give an idea what it’s like to live with HIV in this area. There are no cinemas, no shops, nowhere to go. They are reliant on each other and the community around them.

“The images are meant to disturb, and the people they’re meant to disturb most are politicians. I hope that one of my pictures could make a difference. I want someone in the West with power to be affected. There are no budgets to be seen for Zambia, and in the meantime there will be many funerals every day. Most of the people attending these funerals will be dead themselves in a few months.”

Not surprisingly the often startling images have seared themselves into Don’s mind and heart. “They are part of my life now. Nothing has made me more proud than working with Christian Aid on this. I wish they’d asked me sooner! It makes me feel that I’m doing something useful for the first time in my life.”

The exhibition in County Hall is free and open three days a week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) until 9 January 2005. Touring details and an online version of the exhibition are at www.christianaid.org.uk/donmccullin or call 020 7523 2270. For more information, or to give to the Christian Aid HIV/Aids fund, ring 020 7523 2270.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		INSIGHT Life interrupted A new exhibition on HIV/Aids in Africa features the work of one of the world’s leading photojournalists, DON MCCULLIN. Life Interrupted is his latest project in association with Christian Aid Over the past four decades Don McCullin has recorded the ravages of war, conflict and change, but nothing prepared him for the devastation of Aids-ravaged Zambia and South Africa. Life Interrupted, at the County Hall Gallery on London’s South Bank and on tour across the UK in 2005, looks at the impact that antiretroviral treatment (ART) has made on the lives of people living with HIV. The drugs are free in South Africa but cost an average £6 a month in Zambia, which puts them out of reach of most HIV positive sufferers. McCullin first visited Zambia, South Africa and Botswana in 2000 and documented the lives of people living in desperate poverty affected by the pandemic. The startling images were exhibited in Cold Heaven, which opened at the Whitechapel Gallery in May 2001. At the time, McCullin was angry about the world’s apathy towards what was fast becoming an international disaster. But in April this year he returned to Zambia and South Africa to record the changes the introduction of ART had brought to these impoverished countries. He retraced his steps and experienced ... hope. The result was Life Interrupted, based on the work of two organisations supported by Christian Aid in south Africa – the Catholic Diocese of Ndola in Zambia (www.ccjp.org.zm/ccd/ndola) and Wola Nani (www.wolanani.co.za). An estimated 700 community volunteers care for 900 Aids patients and 11,000 orphans through Ndola diocese. A support programme also operates through the Church of the Province of Southern Africa covering 23 Anglican dioceses and more than 1,000 parishes in six countries. In South Africa, McCullin pictured two of his previous subjects, now receiving ART and doing well. However, Zambia told a very different story, the drugs are too costly for most people, and McCullin found himself photographing the orphans of Teresa, a young woman who had appeared in the first exhibition. At the launch of Life Interrupted, Don said he used photographs as his ‘voice’ to deliver a message. “I’m not a speaker but my photos speak for me. In this exhibition, I wanted to give an idea what it’s like to live with HIV in this area. There are no cinemas, no shops, nowhere to go. They are reliant on each other and the community around them. “The images are meant to disturb, and the people they’re meant to disturb most are politicians. I hope that one of my pictures could make a difference. I want someone in the West with power to be affected. There are no budgets to be seen for Zambia, and in the meantime there will be many funerals every day. Most of the people attending these funerals will be dead themselves in a few months.” Not surprisingly the often startling images have seared themselves into Don’s mind and heart. “They are part of my life now. Nothing has made me more proud than working with Christian Aid on this. I wish they’d asked me sooner! It makes me feel that I’m doing something useful for the first time in my life.” The exhibition in County Hall is free and open three days a week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) until 9 January 2005. Touring details and an online version of the exhibition are at www.christianaid.org.uk/donmccullin or call 020 7523 2270. For more information, or to give to the Christian Aid HIV/Aids fund, ring 020 7523 2270. © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.