2001

For the 20-year anniversary of the AIDS epidemic I was commissioned to create a large installation for a fundraiser. I developed nine ‘Panels of Hope’ - nine interpretive portraits representing survivors, caregivers, and youth involved in the battle against AIDS. Each in their different way, the nine individuals featured were all aware of the precariousness of life, of its preciousness. I wanted to capture the strength and unique beauty that came out of this awareness. A deeply engaged community psychiatrist, Donald T. arrived at the photo shoot, quiet, reserved, somewhat shy. As he came alive with each sequential click of my camera, I discovered a wealth of empathy, humor, and humanity.