|
Sexual Health Exchange, 1996 - no. 2
"Christ with AIDS"
Wola Nani provides help with income generation, counselling and emotional support, mainly to impoverished township women and children in Cape Town, South Africa. This NGO, which has no specific religious affiliation, is committed to caring for and bringing dignity to the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs).  Towards this goal, in 1994 they commissioned a painting called Man of Sorrows or Christ with AIDS by Maxwell Lawton, an artist in residence at the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., USA. The painting is intended to symbolize the reality that AIDS exists even in the church, and that the church must take AIDS on board in its life and practice. Displayed at St George's Cathedral for 20 days around World AIDS Day, the text in the background reflects the New Testament quotation "If you don't accept the least of me, you don't accept me" in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
The aim of the painting is to promote a compassionate response to PHAs. When it was taken on tour throughout South Africa, reactions were mixed. Some people called the painting blasphemous and threatened to destroy it. Others drew comparisons with Jesus' concern for people with leprosy, "lepers" being the most ostracized of all in Biblical times just as PHAs are today. PHAs unanimously have found the painting comforting and, in some ways, healing with respect to previous negative experiences with the church community. They felt reconfirmed in their contact with God.
Eighteen months later, members of the general public still come to Wola Nani to see the painting, argue about it or draw comfort. It remains a powerful tool for raising awareness and debate.
Gary Lamont, Wola Noni, One Government Avenue, Cape Town 8001, South Africa; Tel: 27-21-237-385; Fax: 27-21-237-387 |
