Hope and Dignity Images of Life
by Simon Woolf FPSNZ
Wellington: Coinciding with the international conference currently being held on HIV Aids, tonight a major exhibition
by Wellington photographer Simon Woolf will be opened by The Honourable Judith Tizard at Expressions Arts and
Entertainment Centre, Upper Hutt.
It comprises 60 images taken on a recent trip to Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand to investigate world population growth
issues, particularly HIV Aids, poverty and the effect on women and children.
The trip also looked at programmes New Zealand is carrying out to assist those suffering from the disease and to assess
the potential problems for HIV Aids within New Zealand and the Pacific. The trip, organised by the New York based FPAID
in association with its New Zealand affiliate New Zealand Family Planning. It comprised a parliamentary delegation from
Pacific nations led by New Zealand M.P. Steve Chadwick.
The exhibition whilst confronting at times, is also very moving and optimistic. Simon Woolf says that he was
particularly taken with the attitudes of the people he met who often had to deal with Aids in their whole family and
limited personal resources.
In many of the places that were visited the public facilities available were very inadequate. Simon hopes that his
exhibition will raise awareness of the issues faced by millions of people worldwide and also help prevent the spread of
the Aids virus that has been seen in many Asian countries.
Simon was very struck with an organization called Budhists for Development in Cambodia. Thus the exhibition will be used
to help fundraise for this organization to facilitate an aid project in Siem Reap region of Cambodia.
The exhibition remains open at Expressions until 29 July following which it will tour throughout New Zealand.