Center Art Gallery
Spoelhof College Center
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 526-6271
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hands of a Displaced Sudan:
A Cry for Compassion
Photography by Ryan Spencer Reed
Underwriten by Grand Gallery - www.grandgallery.com
December 1-18, 2004
In the wake of nearly 22 years of brutal civil war the Southern Sudanese population
lays strewn and shattered across the East African landscape. Over 2.5 million
lives have been claimed, and another 5 million internally and externally displaced
by this war. Since January 2003 a new conflict has been developing in Western
Sudan where, using many of the same tactics – terror – insecurity
– genocide, the Sudanese Government is responsible again. The hands of
millions are out-stretched in need of assistance to avert the worst man-made
humanitarian disaster in the world today.
Building on his travels through Sudan, Kenya, and Chad, documentary photojournalist
Ryan Spencer Reed has selected over 60 images to illuminate this tragic story
that continues to unfold in East Africa. From December 1-18, the Center Art
Gallery at Calvin College presents Hands of a Displaced Sudan: A Cry for Compassion.
The exhibition is built around photographs that convey visual testimonies surrounding
the events leading up to the current situation, and is a result of Reed’s
efforts to raise awareness of this catastrophe in the making.
After graduating from Calvin in May 2002, Ryan Spencer Reed began his travels
in East Africa, documenting the displacement caused by the scorched earth campaigns
wielded ruthlessly by the Sudanese Government. Having returned from another
trip to the region this summer, and after amassing over 55,000 Sudanese images
during the last two years, Reed felt compelled to make an appeal on behalf of
the people whose voices he framed in his lens. He hopes this set of images will
act as an impetus to halt the unnecessary and unacceptable suffering in Sudan
by furthering conversation on foreign policy, third world development, and the
mass media. Fueled by the lack of coverage by the major media networks and the
seemingly paralyzed American foreign policy in Africa, Reed is driven to shed
light on this present day global issue.
For more information and images please visit:
www.calvin.edu/centerartgallery
www.ryanspencerreed.com
www.detroitfocus.org
Programs
Wednesday, December 1, 7pm
Africa in the World Today Lecture Series – “Long, Last Step: The
Reintegration of Repatriates in Eritrea”
Johnathan Bascom, Professor of Geology, Geography, & Environmental Studies,
Calvin College
Chapel Undercroft
Friday, December 3, 7pm
Exhibition Reception and Introductory Talk – “Sudan and the Coverage
of Critical Social Issues in the New Age of Media”
Ryan Spencer Reed, Documentary Photojournalist
•“Lost Boys” from West Michigan will be on hand to answer
questions and share their stories
Center Art Gallery & Lower Gezon Lobby
Saturday, December 11, 11am
Gallery Talk – “Hands of a Displaced Sudan: A Cry for Compassion”
Lisa VanArragon, Assistant Professor of Art History, Calvin College
Center Art Gallery
The barrier-free Center Art Gallery, located on the lower level of the Spoelhof
College Center, is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. There is no admission charge.
CONTACT
Joel Zwart, Director of Exhibitions
(616) 526-6271
jhz2@calvin.edu
www.calvin.edu/centerartgallery