Crisis in the Congo comes to John Hunter Hospital
A world-class photographic exhibition detailing the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will hang in John Hunter Hospital from early November.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia presents Democratic Republic of Congo: The Forgotten War - this photographic exhibition has travelled around the world for MSF and completed an Australian tour of nine cities earlier this year.
In 2005, five internationally acclaimed photographers travelled with MSF to document life in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, and returned to tell a story through the images they captured.
The Congolese people have experienced war, displacement, disease, epidemics and sexual violence at the hands of the nation’s civil strife, which has only recently become known to the outside world.
The exhibition is presented by the John Hunter Hospital Arts for Health Program and Coordinator Pippa Robinson said that although the theme of the exhibition is extreme, it tells a critical story.
“It is an honour to be able to recognise the important work of MSF by exhibiting this extraordinary exhibition in our hospital and the hospital community and Newcastle is very fortunate to be able see it at all,” Ms Robinson said.
“Although the crisis in the Congo is a harrowing subject matter this makes the photographs all the more powerful.
“These are some of the world’s best photographers giving us a look inside a modern humanitarian crisis.”
MSF Australia Executive Director Philippe Couturier was confident the exhibition would contribute to a greater understanding of the situation in the Congo.
“This remarkable photo exhibition sheds light on the suffering of the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Mr Couturier said.
“It has travelled the world and I am happy to see it will get further exposure in Newcastle.”
The exhibition will be on display in the John Hunter Hospital from 6 November 2007 until 28 January 2008.
Contact: Gemma Smith
Phone: 4921 4501