Paper Prayers, HIV and AIDS, Artist Proof Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Artist Proof Studio (APS) was founded in 1991 as a community printmaking studio and art education centre based in the Newtown Cultural Precinct in downtown Johannesburg. We take a multi-disciplinary approach, emphasizing life skills alongside art education with a view to long-term empowerment. The impact of our outreach programmes demonstrates how effectively the arts can be used to heal a society divided by centuries of racial discrimination and political repression.

APS National Paper Prayers Awareness Campaign: Since 1996, Artist Proof Studio has realized the enormous impact that the creative industries can have in addressing issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, especially in raising awareness of the disease and facilitating a culture of healing and positive living through the processes of art and craft. We are also able to make a valuable contribution to reducing fear and intolerance.

The Campaign began in 1997, initially in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture. The concept of paper prayers originates from an ancient Japanese custom of offering painted strips of paper as prayers for healing the sick. Participants make two Paper Prayers, one which they keep and one as a donation to Paper Prayers. The latter are then exhibited and sold at World AIDS Day events. The process of producing these small works of art creates a supportive environment in which participants gain awareness of HIV/AIDS – this awareness is internalized and expressed in their artworks. Paper Prayers is a multi-faceted initiative providing skills in art and craft, papermaking, product design, and education. Participants are psychologically and financially empowered.

Artists in Schools is a newer Artist Proof Studio project. APS has developed a Paper Prayers training manual for teachers and schools. This effective approach introduces an art project linking the teaching of printmaking skills with HIV/AIDS awareness activities such as exhibitions and fundraisers. The success of this project has led to numerous requests from schools and NGOs to assist their efforts to educate children about HIV/AIDS through the visual arts. This project has to date been supported by the Ford Foundation.

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