This June, the Fitzrovia Chapel and the charity National HIV Story Trust present Survivors, a powerful exhibition of photographs by Danielle van Zedelhoff (b. 1963, Amsterdam), featuring 16 striking portraits of long-term survivors of HIV.
DATES
TIME
Tuesday to Thursday: 11am – 6pm
Friday: 11am – 4pm
“These survivors are witnesses to our history. I have tried to capture a reflection of their strength, of the fragility of beauty in their imperfection: the connections between the landscape of skin and their inner selves.” – Danielle van Zedelhoff
The NHST was established as a repository of real life stories, to preserve the history of the HIV and AIDS pandemic of the 1980s and 90s, and to remember not only the stories of tragedy but also those of love, compassion and humanity. The charity holds an archive of filmed interviews with survivors and families, partners, and medical professionals. The portraits in Survivors were commissioned during the filming of the first 100 interviews the charity collected, excerpts of which will feature at the show. The exhibition is the latest event in the NHST’s HIVstory project, made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Paul Coleman, Co-Founder and Chair of the NHST, said: “These portraits are such an important part of the story of HIV because they show real people’s vulnerability and strength. The immense challenges of an HIV diagnosis are well-known, but within often painful stories are also deep wells of hope, resilience and strength. Danielle’s portraits capture the dichotomy between these themes and remind us that at the heart of HIV are human beings and the complex, interwoven tensions between adversity and fortitude. We are immensely grateful to her for these beautiful portraits.”
The Fitzrovia Chapel is the only remaining building of the former Middlesex Hospital. In 1987, Princess Diana opened the hospital’s pioneering Broderip and Charles Bell Wards, the first in the UK dedicated to the treatment and care of patients with AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. Today, the Chapel has an established tradition of hosting exhibitions that explore this legacy. These have included photographic and film displays about the wards, as well as Leigh Bowery’s Tell Them I’ve Gone to Papua New Guinea (2022) – Bowery died of AIDS at the Middlesex in 1994 – and a special presentation of the Terry Higgins Memorial Quilt in 2024.
ABOUT
Danielle van Zedelhoff is a fine art portrait photographer, known for her emotionally raw portraits and use a chiaroscuro technique, reminiscent of 17th-century Old Master Paintings. She has presented work in major museums and galleries across Europe, the Middle East and the USA.
Visit daniellevanzadelhoff.com for more information.
Accessability
Outside the Chapel, there are two steps, which have a built-in wheelchair lift. The Chapel is wheelchair accessible. The majority is on one level, and there is a ramp that can be used to access the chancel (altar area). We have a fully accessible toilet. View more accessibility information
OUR CULTURAL PROGRAMME
Since 2016, we have collaborated with artists, curators, and institutions to present a programme of exhibitions that often reflects our history as the chapel for the Middlesex Hospital.
