A new exhibition focusing on the love and solidarity found in one of the world\u2019s worst conflict zones is set to open on London\u2019s South Bank today (11 February 2010).<\/p>\n
A collaboration between Oxfam and portrait photographer Rankin, the exhibition \u201cFrom Congo with Love\u201d is inspired by the untold compassion of ordinary people surviving ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It will be displayed on Theatre Square at the National Theatre until 11 April 2010.<\/p>\n
Eastern Congo is one of the most violent places in the world. Two million people are displaced, but the majority don\u2019t live in camps. Instead, they live with families who have opened their homes to those who have lost everything \u2013 in many cases complete strangers. Rankin met host families who were housing one to three other families in small, two-roomed homes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As well as looking at the kindness shown by Congo\u2019s host families, the portraits focus on other forms of love found in Congo, such as romantic love, mother\u2019s love and the pain of love lost. The portraits were taken on Rankin\u2019s second trip to Congo in late 2009, with the people photographed against the same trademark white background that Rankin uses with celebrity clients, such as Kate Moss and the Queen.<\/p>\n
Rankin said:<\/p>\n
\u201cMy style of portraiture is about bringing people out of themselves, getting them to share something. I chose to photograph the people against a white background instead of in their physical environment. The expressions in their eyes and on their faces – their humanity – was what I wanted people to notice and relate to.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis collection focuses on the relationships that bind people to each other – the connections that make us human. I hope that these photographs can aid understanding. They are neither ugly images of brutality, nor sentimental images of suffering. The world needs imagery that, instead of encouraging pity and powerlessness, promotes understanding, connection, and ultimately action.\u00a0 It’s about making people accessible to each other.\u201d\u00a0
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\nAs well as taking his own portraits, Rankin held photography workshops with the local community, handing out cameras and teaching almost one hundred people how to take their own pictures.\u00a0 The images taken by the community are a major part of the \u201cFrom Congo with Love\u201d exhibition with over 150 images by the community displayed alongside Rankin\u2019s own work. The photographs focus on the things that people in the community love and hold dear \u2013 from children and homes to favourite pets and football teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rankin said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI gave out cameras so that the people could have authorship over their own images – show us what was important in their lives.\u00a0 The images I got back were amazing, like an intimate family album of life in the Congo. It gives the people that see the images in the UK a very direct connection to people in Congo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition, a photographic booth at the exhibition will allow visitors to take their own pictures and add them to the exhibition, showing their solidarity with the people of eastern Congo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rankin visited a small town called Sange in eastern DRC, where the population had doubled in size as a result of renewed fighting. Oxfam expanded its programme to provide clean water and decent sanitation to the newly displaced. It is now assisting some 800,000 people across eastern Congo and the exhibition is linked to a fundraising appeal for its work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rankin said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve always been trying to do is to take the victim out of the equation. Take that feeling of pity out of it, say these are human beings and we actually just owe it to them to try to help them. If you do give money to Oxfam I know that the money comes back to Congo. That\u2019s the brilliant thing. The money we made last time was brought to Congo and it\u2019s getting results.\u201d<\/p>\n
People can donate to Oxfam appeal by visiting www.oxfam.org.uk\/rankin<\/a> or calling 0300 200 1300.<\/p>\n