CONGO/WOMEN loom large

According to Jane Saks, director of theInst. for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media, the show includes larger than life images designed to try and shake us out of our everyday frame of reference. In addition to the large color photos, which require no reading, and simply confront the viewer, are a set of black and white photos by some of the worlds finest photojournalists: Lynsey Addario, Marcus Bleasdale, Ron Haviv, and James Nachtwey. These supply context and background about the problems facing the women of Congo and their dignity in facing challenges while keeping on with their lives. There is an audio component of the show, too, so the viewer is surrounded with the images, and words of women. The audio was taken from what the Congolese women have said, and prepared for the exhibition by Saks and Leslie Thomas.

Congo/Women Portraits of War: The Democratic Republic of Congo is an international photography exhibition and educational campaign that raises awareness of the widespread sexual violence facing women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The exhibition features powerful life-size photographs that convey the strength and courage of Congolese women. Accompanying essays contextualize the impact of the crisis from a range of perspectives. An advocacy partnership with the Enough Project's Raise Hope for Congo campaign provides tools to demand action and involvement from the global citizenry.