The photography exhibit was conceived by Brendan Bannon while he participated in a workshop project in Romania in October 2003. Many of the children infected with HIV/AIDS during that country's late-'80s epidemic are now teenagers and young adults struggling with discrimination and poverty. Bannon created a workshop to help these young people use photography to empower themselves and give a voice to the taboo subject of HIV/AIDS in Romania's transitional society. Eight Romanian teens learned the basics of photography to document and reflect their experience. The name of the show came from a picture taken by Carla, 15. About her self-portrait, taken in a train station, Carla writes: "This picture is the most important because it is my picture. And when I am going to die they are going to look at it and remember me."
The exhibit, sponsored by the Kirby Simon Trust through the U.S. State Department, will be on display in CEPA Gallery, 617 Main St., Suite 201, through Feb. 1. Call 856-2717. The exhibit will then travel to Romania and Washington, D.C.
- Elizabeth Barr
