"PhotoSensitive Unveils AIDS in Africa Project"
2002-04-30 until 2002-05-24
Network Gallery
Toronto, ON, CA Canada

Seven photojournalists returned from Zambia ten days ago to prepare their exhibition on the ravages of AIDS in Africa, as part of the CONTACT Photography Festival. PhotoSensitive - Africa, in cooperation with CARE Canada, will open on Tuesday April 30,at the Network Gallery, First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

Founded in 1990, PhotoSensitive brings together the photographic talents of a number of Toronto-based professional photographers to harness the power of the camera to achieve social goals. Each photographer brings his or her own vision to the subject; the sum of these visions would provide a compelling social comment. Photographers include Andrew Stawicki, Bernie Weil and Dick Loek - all of the Toronto Star, Patti Gower of the Globe and Mail, Peter Bregg of Maclean's, portrait and fine art photographer Tony Hauser, and Canadian freelancer Steve Simon, currently located in New York. Information about the CONTACT Photography Festival can be found at www.contactphoto.com.

In Zambia one in five adults is HIV positive. The Zambian Teachers Union reports that close to 1500 teachers died of AIDS in 2001. This year a drought is compounding the problem with close to 2 million at risk of starvation due to failure of the maize crop. A community school in the mountains outside Lusaka claims one quarter of students are orphans because their parents have succumbed. Nearby a small farm owned by an elderly woman in her eighties who has lost 8 of her 10 children and is now caring for over 20 grandchildren.

To further identify with Zambia, at the opening of PhotoSensitive, shima, a Zambian staple, will be served along with water.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Canada

Other Important Exhibitions in Toronto