MORE TO ME THAN HIV - Exhibition Booklet

MORE
TO ME
THAN
HIV
Fighting HIV
stigma with
positive imagery
Photography by Angus Stewart

Introduction to the project
If you hadn’t seen the cover of this catalogue, what would
you think this exhibition is all about, and what do all these 25
people have in common?
Each one of these portrait subjects is “living with HIV”, and
they are proud to emphasise the “living” part of that
description.
HIV is now an entirely preventable disease, and treatment
for it is so successful, that HIV can play a very insignificant
part of peoples lives, compared to other chronic conditions
such as diabetes.
The medical profession and the community of people living
with HIV have worked tirelessly over the past forty years to
improve the lives of people affected by the virus. We know
now that a person who is virally suppressed can not pass on
the HIV, and being ‘undetectable’ helps prevent new
infections. In our communities we know this by “U=U” or
‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’. In this project we
show that people are defining themselves in positive ways
regardless of them living with HIV.
Effective treatment has liberated us from being patients to
beings of life, hope and optimism.
Please purchase this catalogue and why not buy a favourite
portrait too?
All money raised will go towards three amazing charities that
work to reduce HIV related stigma and improve the lives of
people living with HIV.
From person to portrait
Some of our portrait participants are HIV activists, but most
are not. For many of our participants, taking part in this
exhibition has been the first time that they have openly
declared the fact that they are living
with HIV.
Each portrait participant chose their
own unique way to represent the way
that HIV is not something they define
themselves by.
After having telephone conversations,
each participant met with Angus in a studio setting, bringing
with them their props and objects they wanted in their
portraits.
Participants then chose the portrait with which
they were happy with, and it is these portraits
that you will see in this exhibition. The results
are twenty four beautiful representations of
people thriving, living with HIV
“As portrait photographers we ask a lot of the people we
photograph. we ask that they trust us to represent their story
with accuracy and grace.” Angus Stewart
“I feel that Angus really got to understand each portrait
subject. There is a twinkle in the eye of each person as their
essence shines through. These portraits contradict the
stereotypical images of people living with HIV, and it is the
breaking of the shackles of stigma that this project aims to
achieve.” David Fray
For further information please visit
www.moretomethanHIV.org.uk

The Facilitator
HIV doesn't define people,
and there is so much more to
individuals than a long term
health condition, and it is
important to explain that so
that people don't have any
fear or disregard towards
people living with HIV

Green Fingers
HIV has taught me that,
whatever life throws at us, we
all deserve to be loved for
who we are

The Artist
In the 29 years since my own
diagnosis, I have realised that
one can manage and thrive
and lead a full life. Through
my journey I have learned to
disregard negativity, and
surround myself with people
and environments that are
beneficial, sincere and honest
for the best health of both my
body and mind

The Ballet Dancer
I am living a happy and
healthy life with HIV & I am
fighting to end HIV stigma
once and for all.
There is so much more to me
than HIV!
Becoming HIV + has not
stopped me from fulfilling my
dreams as a professional
dancer

Bee Charmer
How I define myself nowadays
is not what I am, but what I
do, and hope to be.
Now we know U=U, we can
have plans for the future and
passions and hobbies, just
like anybody else

Craftsman
U=U means freedom to me,
because it makes it easier to
tell somebody about my
status.
The more people who know
about U=U the easier it is to
live openly and not have to
hide

The Reader
There's more, much more, to
me than HIV

The DJ
I love playing music and
DJ'ing, and that is why there
is so much more to me than
HIV

The Baker
I am a proud Mum, baker and
traveller.
There is more to me than HIV

Be your shining light
HIV is only a small part of me
and does not define me and
does not stop me.
Discover the light within you,
from the darkness of illness
and long term conditions we
find the inner light.
Be light in life and have fun
Be light in all ways
Shine your light

Multitasker
I allowed HIV to come into my
life, and I am in charge of that.
I'm still living, I'm still going
about my business, and
enjoying the fact that I am
living a healthy life

The Dress Maker
HIV is part of me, but it does
not define me

Allotment Holder
I felt like there was more to
me, a lot more to me, than just
the stigma that some people
carry around with them

The Performer
There's so many more things
to me. HIV is just one of the
things that is part of my life.
It's not all of my life and it's
not who I am

Weight Lifter
There is a lot more to me than
HIV.
I have a lot of interests
outside of my own health and
wellbeing

Spiritualist
Overcoming HIV has made
me aware of how happy and
jolly I am

Fashion Designer
I am more than HIV, because
HIV is just a tiny virus that has
taken refuge in my body.
It doesn't control my life and it
certainly doesn't define who I
am.
I am just trying to live my best
life

Library Officer
Over three decades ago I was
told I was HIV+, I was also
told to make the next twelve
months count.
That was our reality.
HIV and AIDS has tested me,
but through a combination of
flukes and luck, I'm now in
charge of my HIV status and I
can say, 'There's more to me
Than HIV.

Grower
HIV is the least of my worries.
It's only a little tiny virus that is
living in my body, and
therefore it lives by my rules

The Yogi
Despite being blind, I am a
trustee of a charity that
addresses loneliness, and
brings the community together
through food.
There is more to me than HIV

Wanderlust
There is definitely more to me
than HIV. It’s just something
that I live with, like having
brown hair and freckles. There
are more important things in
life to focus on…. like trying to
visit every country on my wish
list!

The Activist
I’ve created a UK based
online peer support group for
trans, non binary and gender
diverse people living with HIV

Reverend
I refuse to give up, because
HIV does not define me, you
will live to declare the glory of
God. Stay healthy and love
yourself

Cross Stitcher
Before U=U I felt labelled with
stigma, like in a box.
Now I know I can’t pass it on, I
don’t feel like I am any
different to anybody else, and
I feel free now

PrEPster seeks to educate and agitate for PrEP, the drug that when
taken before sex can prevent HIV, access in England and beyond.
Due to the hard work of activists and great community
organisations PrEP is now available for free on the NHS.
Sadly, many people, women, queer men of colour, trans
and migrant communities, who would benefit from PrEP
still have low levels of knowledge about the drug or face
barriers to access it.
If we are to reach the ambitious target of ending new HIV
transmissions by 2030, then PrEP should be accessible to all who would
benefit from it.
The work of PrEPster is key to making this happen. We have three
approaches to reach the communities most at risk of HIV.
Targeted social media promotion
Community outreach into bars, venues, and community
spaces
Development of printed and online information resources
Your generous donation will enable us to continue our work
to raise awareness and support our
communities.
The Martin Fisher Foundation aims to facilitate and support a city wide
response to getting Towards Zero HIV infections by
the year 2030 in Brighton and Hove.
The charity has delivered a number of innovations in
HIV testing and stigma reduction including designing
HIV and STI testing vending machines, and a
working city bus with up to date facts on HIV and
Stigma.
These and other targeted activities have
demonstrated an increase in testing and HIV
diagnoses, improved knowledge and a reduction in
HIV stigma experiences.
Any money raised will go towards events to continue
to engaging stakeholders in reducing HIV stigma,
workshops to support people living with HIV who
experience stigma,
ongoing rollout of vending machines and
educational initiatives in HIV testing and
stigma.Money raised from this exhibition
will help to keep stocked the free HIV and
sexual health testing kits in our ‘vending’
machines.
Learn more about Prepster by visiting the website www.prepster.info or
scan the QR code on the right
Learn more about the Martin Fisher Foundation by visiting the website
www.themartinfisherfoundation.org or scan the QR code on the right

Photographer Angus Stewart
Angus Stewart is a documentary photographer based in
London.
Working extensively with the circus, burlesque and
cabaret communities in London over the past 10 years
has produced a collection of work, depicting not just what
happens on stage, but the families and communities that
support it. London Burlesque: The Family Album will be
published in 2022 by Circa Press.
HIV stigma levels are high in the population of black migrant women of
African/Afro-Caribbean heritage
4M Network provides psychosocial support and
mentoring to black migrant women living with HIV in
the UK and internationally, throughout pregnancy and
beyond. We do this through delivery of 'Pregnancy
Journey’ and Train the Trainer workshops for women
living with HIV training them as Mentor Mothers
(MMs), capacity-building, supervision of MMs,
advocacy, collaborations, partnerships and trainings
with service providers on intersectional women’s
issues. We have been providing these services since
2016.
We have engaged in academic research, presented
at conferences, and co-authored journal publications.
Our published training manuals are accessed
globally.
In the last year, 4M Network reached
a total of 355 people with 35 trained MM volunteers.
£100 could buy ten £10 SIM cards with data that
would enable migrant mothers and mums on low
income, to keep in touch with our trained mentors,
and attend virtual meetings, training
sessions and information webinars.
Learn more about the 4M Network by visiting the website
www.4mmm.org or scan the QR code on the right
In 2017 Angus was
commissioned to work with
on a project on 'rights to the
city' in Salvador and
London as project with UCL
London, this work was
published by UCL Press in
2020.
In 2020 Angus was artist in
residence at 3rd Space,
Brixton, as part of the
Lambeth Town Hall Arts
Program documenting
leadership in the borough.
Currently working with Global Disability Innovation Hub
(GDI Hub) on a programme called AT2030 - Life
Changing Assistive Technology for All, documenting the
charity's work with local activists and AT both in UK and
Internationally.
Visit www.angusstewart.me to discover more, or scan the QR code

Fighting HIV stigma with positive imagery
MORE
TO ME
THAN
HIV
Photography by Angus Stewart
London Lighthouse Gallery and Studio
18 Lyell Street
London City Island
London
E14 0SZ
Company Reg No: 11556222. Vat Reg No. GB 305 820 233
www.londonlighthousestudio.com
The www.moretomethanHIV.org.uk
website has further information about the
project including multimedia slideshows
and audio descriptions of the portraits for
the visually impaired. Please scan the QR
code on this page to visit the website