MADaboutART

I work for an HIV/Arts charity called MADaboutART (www.madaboutart.org) and it is so inspiring to be a part of such a wonderful project.

Last year, on World Aids Day (1st December), we had a group of young people here from South Africa to show the world their art work and to spread their message to others.

At the front of the National Gallery, you might notice some paintings. That is the Rainbow of Hope. This amazing piece of art is part of their work.

The Rainbow of Hope is a 20 metre long exhibition of 18 panels (each the size of a door) depicting the journey from being diagnosed with HIV and the despair that comes with that, through the process of acceptance with support, to living with hope and love.

So many people who came and saw the exhibition felt the presence of love and hope reflected without words. And the thing is, this model is applicable to anyone who has been on a journey to the very core of their being, regardless of where that started. For some it may be HIV, for others it may be depression or cancer or some other major life event.

I don't know about other people, but I find that the people who are the most inspiring in our world are often the ones who have faced their own very human-ness and come out the other side.

So here's to you, the MAD kids. You have such a powerful message of strength, courage, hope, love and support. You are the inspiration.