HIV exhibit highlights Vancouver's role in activism and awareness

published on January 9, 2019 in CBC

The exhibit kicks off Simon Fraser University's speaker series on HIV/AIDS

An art exhibit featuring the works of those living with HIV kicks off Simon Fraser University's spring speaker series on HIV/AIDS and highlights the work Vancouver has done to combat the disease.

The exhibit, which features the work of several prominent Vancouver-based artists, coincided with a lecture by Dr. Julio Montaner, one of the doctors whose work helped shape HIV/AIDS treatment.

Dr. Montaner says research in Vancouver played a pivotal role developing antiretroviral therapies. These therapies have helped those living with the disease live a near-normal life with a near-normal longevity. There have been advancements to help those with the disease become non-infectious through treatment.

"All of that, to a large extent, was developed here in B.C. and we are incredibly proud of it," Montaner said.

Montaner pointed to the work of the artists as bringing greater awareness to the issue, adding they had worked together from the early days of the epidemic.

Tiko Kerr, an artist living with HIV whose self-portrait is part of the exhibit, says its a way of working through what living with the disease feels like.

"It's a great opportunity for people to show the net result of all the science that's keeping them alive," Kerr said.

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Julio Montaner

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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HIV exhibit highlights Vancouver's role in activism and awareness

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