This is a story of then and now. Orphaned and abandoned children communally cared for in Natal, South Africa and their stories recaptured 10 years later. The exhibition highlights a selection of portraits shot in 2006 and 2016, of individual children then, young adults now.
The initial portraits were taken in 2006 during my volunteer period at Rehoboth Children’s Village in South Africa, which is dedicated to caring for orphaned and abandoned children suffering from HIV/AIDS. ‘Nonjabulo’ means happiness in Zulu and was also the name of one of the girls there. As a 19-year-old, with no photographic experience, I used an old Canon film camera to photograph these children to remember their amazing sense of character, individuality and strengths. I also sought to show that these faces were not just the faces of victims but also the faces of children, who like any other child was full of cheekiness, laughter, naughtiness and like other children deserved the right to happiness.
In July 2016 with funds raised via a successful Kick-Starter, I returned to Natal to track down the same children to take their portraits once more, whilst also documenting effects of HIV/AIDs on the local communities.
This ‘then and now’ photographic series captures stories told through the children and the communities of an AIDS epidemic, whilst also being a reflection of time passed. It aims to not only remove the stigma around HIV/AIDS but to give hope that, with continued support, there can be remarkable positive outcomes. Although much progress has been made, continued support is necessary to maintain and grow established programs.
This exhibition will run as a non-for-profit fundraiser. All sales of prints and donations through the exhibition will go directly back to Rehoboth Children’s Village and the local community.
More information can be found at www.nonjabulo.com
Exhibition to be opened by Gail Kelly
Proudly supported by Momento Pro, Vision Image Lab, Amarisco Framing, The Boomerang Project, Blanco Negro, and We Are Toto
After completing a Bachelor of Digital Media in 2009 at UNSW, Zoë spent the next few years exploring the world with her camera in hand. Drawn to the process of telling stories through a camera lens, her fascination with documentary photography and photojournalism began. Zoë’s ability to capture moments in time and her interest in humanity motivated her to become a full-time photographer. Zoë now runs a successful commercial photography business from which she gives herself time to travel on various self-directed photography projects.
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