"Survival" installation at The Workshop

Fiona Kirkwood, an artist and cultural activist in the field of HIV/AIDS since 1998, developed the workpiece "Survival" to create awareness and offer solutions to the overwhelming HIV/AIDS issue, which has particular relevance to KwaZulu- Natal. This artwork was recently installed at The Workshop shopping centre in Durban.

'Survival' is a work consisting of male and female condoms. The artist promotes public awareness that condoms can create a major difference between life and death, particularly in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She draws attention to th female condom, little known about or used in South Africa. The female condom gives women the power to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS as well as sexually transmissible infections and pregnancy. With the help of an assistant, HIVAN and The Reproductive Health Unit (RHRU), the artist interacted in a variety of ways with the public in the Workshop Shopping Centre. The event started with a candle light procession from the Gugu Dlamini park, where community based service providers and artists participated in the walk for survival.