by Jao Resari, Columban Lay Missionary
On September 29 ~ October 19, 2014, the Agape Center for HIV and AIDS Education and Outreach Ministry of the Hsinchu Diocese and Harmony Home Foundation Taiwan, a non-profit organization sheltering people living with HIV and AIDS in Taiwan and China, collaborated in holding a charity art exhibit entitled: “A Glimpse of Love for the Unseen,” showing 22 artworks which include oils, charcoals and photographs, to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS. The exhibit was held in two venues, the first was in Hsinchu City and the 2nd was in Taipei city. This event was a good opportunity for people from different communities to understand the realities of HIV and AIDS and to be in solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS.
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| Hsinchu exhibit 1st opening (L-R: Nicole Yang, founder of Harmony Home Foundation Taiwan; Fr. Peter O’Neill, ssc, director of Hsinchu Migrants and Immigrants Service Center and migrants chaplain of Hsinchu diocese; Jao Resari, Agape Center, Bishop James Liu, auxiliary bishop of Hsinchu diocese, Teacher Hank, volunteer of Harmony Home Foundation Taiwan) |
It is with a grateful heart that I share with you the reflection
I’ve written for the exhibit introducing my collection:
“Since coming to Taiwan as a Columban lay
missionary, I’ve had the opportunity to journey with people who live in the
margins of our society. People from different walks of life having one thing in
common – they are people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
It was in Harmony Home
where I worked for 5 years as a full-time volunteer, that my eyes and my heart
were opened to how the realities of HIV and AIDS have deeply affected
thousands of lives in Taiwan, China and in other parts of the world.
Most of the artworks I’ve
created are captured moments in the everyday lives of people living with
and affected by HIV and AIDS. The portraits are of faces unseen by our society.
Most often, we see them under statistics or demographics. But they are more
than just numbers – they are somebody’s family, relative, neighbor or friend.
From newborn babies to teenagers, single mothers to old people. Each person has
a sacred story to tell, be it their struggles or fears, joys and dreams.
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“What’s on Your Mind, Child?” | Oil Painting |
Facing the Truth
Stigma and discrimination against people
living with HIV and AIDS is what fans the fire of this epidemic. For many
people, it is easier to ignore what is happening right before their eyes than face
the reality; for others, it is more bearable to push people who are different
from them outside their circle, hiding behind their walls of indifference.
Sadly, many still believe that HIV and AIDS has nothing to do with them or
their loved ones.
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“I Want to be a Happy Bride Someday” | Photograph |
Finding Hope
In deepening our awareness of how HIV and AIDS
is affecting lives, we can begin to understand our own important role in
fighting this epidemic.
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“Finding Light in the Dark” | Oil Painting |
Witnessing Love
This exhibit is also a tribute to
the good works done by many people who have been working in solidarity with
people living with HIV and AIDS. Their acts of kindness and compassion, untold
in news or in the media, but nevertheless, they are the ones who continue to give
hope to the hopeless, healing deep wounds caused by fear and ignorance.
It is humbling to witness the power of love
overcoming the challenges of HIV and AIDS in the lives of people living in the
margins of our society.
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“More Than a Hug” | Charcoal |
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| Taipei exhibit 2nd opening, Press conference (Jao Resari with Nicole Yang, staff, volunteers and residents of Harmony Home, local media and guests) |
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