Illinois painter raises AIDS awareness through art

One trip to Nigeria changed Illinois artist John Borden Gabb's life forever.

According to the Faith Alive Foundation, who contacted Gabb about traveling to Nigeria, more than 3.6 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 2 million children have been orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic and 70 percent of Nigerians live on less than $1 a day. It was witnessing this type of desperation that inspired Gabb to paint "The Faces of Aids" African Art Series, which will be on display at the Cadmium River Studio in Cape Girardeau beginning Saturday.

"I was really very taken with the kids' expressions and the faces of the people who know they have this disease," Gabb said. "One of the things I most wanted to get across in many of these portraits is the will and desire of these people to live and their pervasive feeling of hope, especially in the children."

Gabb, the owner of Brush Hill Studio and Gallery in Effingham, Ill., said he hopes to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria and around the world and is donating half of all profits raised by the exhibition to the Faith Alive Foundation Nigeria.

"I want to go back soon and continue this series because there are still more stories to tell behind the many faces struggling there," he said. "Right now I just hope people coming in realize they can help. I want them to get a better understanding of the plague that continues to carry on over there."

The exhibition, which runs through Aug. 15, features 14 paintings from Nigeria and a few examples of Gabb's work from other parts of the world.

"I'm honored that he's coming," said Randy Hays, operator of Cadmium River Studio. "He's won awards all over the country and has painted all over the world. An experience with his art is one everyone should be a part of."

There will be an artist reception lunch at 11 a.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Global Cafe in Cape Girardeau.

For more information on Gabb, visit his Web site at www.johngabb.com.