HIV and AIDS have been shrouded in stigma for years now. And while we can keep saying that the world is changing, the pace needs to definitely pick up a little faster here. And helping this cause is a brilliantly talented artist from Manchester, Conor Collins and his latest artwork that has generated quite the buzz on social media—a portrait of Princess Diana.
Now you’d ask, what’s so special about a portrait of the late Lady Diana Spencer? There are already so many out there? Well, have a look and you’ll know.
Conor Collins has painted the portrait using diamond dust and HIV positive blood….
And it is stunning, beautiful, and like great art, makes you think.
My portrait of Princess Diana made using HIV positive blood and Diamond Dust. (Thread follows) pic.twitter.com/Fpj6dEDnRj
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
Along with the portrait, Collins has also written a Twitter thread explaining his choice of subject/muse.
Princess Diana was once under major controversy for holding hands with an HIV patient. Being inspired from that particular incident, Collins decided upon her.
The world was shocked when Diana held hands with a patient with HIV. Decades later, HIV stigma is still rife.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
Despite even royalty denying the stigma so openly, it is still a reality.
He continues by putting forth facts about the disease that people are still unaware about. Because ignorance is one of the prime reasons for the stigma.
We should know the facts. You can’t get HIV from kissing. Undetectable means untransmittable. PREP and PEP work.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
This lack of awareness could further propagate the disease….
However widespread HIV stigma, homophobia, racism and transphobia only serve to make new HIV infections more likely.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
He supports his arguments with statistics, because numbers seem to convince people more.
The latest data in the UK, reported last year but from 2016, is that 93% of those diagnosed are now undetectable and do not pose a transmission risk to sexual partners.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
The shame and stigma are destroying more lives than perhaps the disease itself. And that’s why, it has to end.
Despite this people with HIV are twice as likely to commit suicide, particularly in their first year of diagnosis. The shame has to stop. The stigma has to stop. No one should be driven to this.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
What Princess Diana did, was landmark. Since then, the world has come so far….
When Princess Diana held the hand of a man dying of AIDS, few would have imagined that today treatment would exist that would see HIV-positive people living full, healthy, loving lives. When diagnosed and treated early, life-expectancy for someone with HIV is unchanged.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
His parting message is that of love and dignity.
We all deserve to be loved. We all deserve to be treated with dignity.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
While HIV is not something you chose to have, stigma, bias, judgement is a choice. And you can choose to not choose them.
HIV is a virus. It has no conscience. It is without colour, without creed, without gender or sexuality. It is incapable of judgement.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
Stigma however is a choice.
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
The only way to stop the stigma is to spread love and awareness about the disease.
The HIV epidemic is fuelled by this stigma, shame and ignorance. Science can treat the disease, but it is love, compassion, respect and understanding that will finally stop the epidemic. pic.twitter.com/AHHErvQSsm
— Conor Collins (@conartworks) July 17, 2018
His art has been appreciated by many on social media, and his message is being accepted, supported and further propagated.
HIV isn’t dirty. Stigma is.
This is a stunning and powerful piece of work, fortified by the commentary that Conor has provided in the thread.
HIV isn't dirty. HIV stigma is. https://t.co/ISyCQpdvl2— Matthew Hodson (@Matthew_Hodson) July 17, 2018
Art as art should be….
Absolutely love this. Art as it should be – disruptive and deeply thought-provoking. https://t.co/0jfcBvCZDq
— Jason Reid (@JasonReidUK) July 19, 2018
Sends a clear message!
Incredible piece and your message is very clear from a viewers perspective 👏👏👏👏👏👏
— Nick Finn (@NickFinn1985) July 17, 2018
Beautiful woman. Beautiful sentiment.
Beautiful portrait, beautiful women, beautiful sentiment and beautiful support you’ve shown to fight the stigma. We will win this battle again ignorance and the disease itself ❤️
— JamesArthur (@JimmySnelgrove) July 18, 2018
Kudos Conor Collins, you’ve managed to start a discussion with your art. And that’s exactly what art must do for society!