The new exhibition at Iziko SA National Gallery "Embracing Aids", which opens on Friday 1 December, will enjoy an added dimension with the involvement of Larry Gurney and the children of MADaboutART from the Nekkies township outside Knysna.

Participating in the opening events of the exhibition and sharing their journeys, they will construct a "Rainbow of Hope" outside the Gallery.

Gurney explains: "The journey of HIV/Aids unfolds in the Rainbow of Hope from the point of diagnosis through the pain onward to acceptance and treatment and vitality. It is a story of taking back the control which HIV takes away and learning to build a future. The 18 panels were made by the children from Nekkies, where the level of HIV is officially 25%.

These children attend after schools MAD (Make A Difference) clubs in which they work together in understanding and fighting HIV and AIDS through art and education. Using film, photography, drama and art, they work to get their community talking about HIV, breaking the silence that powers the disease. MADaboutART accepts all, respects the involvement of HIV positive people and builds a sustainable and exciting programme that benefits the children and their families."

Visit the Rainbow, read the stories and step into the shoes of those living with HIV by visiting the website: http://www.madaboutart.org or e-mail info@madaboutart.org

The Rainbow is on view until January 2007.

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