The old cliché is “a picture says a thousand words”. Participants in the Picture an End to Violence project only want their photos to say five words: stop male violence against women.
The project uses pictures of men who are opposed to violence against women as a visible demonstration of the commitment to ending this form of abuse. The photos are turned into over-sized portraits with quotes and will be publicly displayed during International Women’s Week in March 2011.
In the course of three days in January of last year, over 60 men had their photographs taken, and were given the opportunity to offer their ideas, thoughts, and comments about the larger issue of men’s violence against women. For 2011, our primary goal is to continue this community conversation and significantly increase the volume. “We believe engaging a diversity of males from across the Kingston community on this issue is important to change behavioral norms,” says Sifton. “We want everybody involved.”
Self-identified men are invited to have their portraits taken by Queen’s University photographer Greg Black on January 20, 21 and 22 at The Artel. The public is invited to a gallery event on March 8 at Zappas Lounge on Ontario Street to view the results and join in the conversation. For more information or to sign up to have your portrait taken visit www.paetv.wordpress.com
Picture An End To Violence is a project coordinated by a diverse group of Kingstonians, including educators, students, activists, artists, and concerned citizens, working together to end men’s violence against women. Included in this group are representatives from Kingston Interval House, Sexual Assault Centre Kingston, and Queen’s University Sexual Health Resource Centre.
