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Reflections: 20 years of HIV/AIDS activism and education

Sex, politics and controversy are central themes of this exhibition of objects from the collection of the AIDS Action Council of the ACT and PLWHA ACT. A social history of community responses to HIV/AIDS, the exhibition documents early grassroots efforts by the protest group ACT UP, and the glossy and sophisticated campaigns of the late 1980s and 1990s.

Please note that the Reflections exhibition is no longer on display. Photographs, essays and speeches from the exhibition are available below.

The exhibition will be on display at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) from 4 December 2004 until 23 January 2005. CMAG is located on the corner of London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City. Enquires 02 6207 3969.

The exhibition is being launched as part of World AIDS Awareness week.

This collection has been supported by National Library of Australia Community Heritage Grants in 2002-2003. For more information about the collection, see the Assessment of Significance [PDF].

An essay by Dr John Thompson, titled 'there isn't room for ambiguity', is a highlight of the exhibition.

Official opening

Officially opened by Alison Gordon and Megan Hansford along with AIDS Action Council President Joey Tabone at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, Friday 3 December 2004.

Read a review of the exhibition at Citysearch.

Reflections by Kenn Basham

Kenn Basham introduces items from the remarkable collection of the AIDS Action Council of the ACT and provides insights into protest, social justice and twenty years of HIV positive life.

Wednesday 8 December 2004
Canberra Museum and Gallery

Kenn's talk was extremely well received and proved to be an emotional journey for many people in the audience.  His talk will be available in document format shortly. Disappointingly, the recording of this event was unsuccessful.

Exhibition photographs

 Kenn Basham giving his presentation

 People viewing the exhibition at CMAG

 A collection of condom packs (foreground) with posters (background)

Exhibition at CMAG, with Condom Miranda 

 Early national AIDS campaigns, including the Grim Reaper

Condoman HIV/AIDS campaign 

 Cover Yourself in Canberra   ACT UP flyers

 

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