Nothing About us without us
The Art of Harm Reduction
A Benefit for the Chicago Recovery Alliance 2020
Since 1991 the Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA) has distributed clean, safe equipment for safe drug use and condoms for safe sex. They have become the largest distributor and educator on the use of free Naloxone in the mid-west. They have collected data on their work and contributed to invaluable research that shows that harm reduction indisputably saves lives.
In 2018 and 2020 respectively we collaborated with CRA to present, You Can Tell Me Anything and Nothing About Us Without US. These shows were mounted to help CRA further it’s work with funds generated by sales of art work and to bring an awareness of the work of CRA and other harm reduction agencies to the general public.
Seen in these photos is the Wall of T-Shirts. Literally, a wall of t-shirts sold by agencies from the US, Pueto Rico, and the UK to fund their work and bring dialogue to the public about harm reduction. The second photo is a installation shot of a Photo Voice (art / research) Project organized and led by CRA’s research director, Suzanne Carlsburg-Rascich. The photo’s here were taken by CRA participants who were asked to take photos illustrating and give accounts on questions such as How do you experience judgment for your drug use in this community and What needs to change about how the community treats you as a person who injects drugs. These questions were developed primarily by CRA participants. Individuals were asked to not take any identifying photos so as to protect themselves and others from legal / police retaliation.
Chicago photographer, Ben Kurstin has been photographing found drug bags in his neighborhood of Humbolt Park.
Chicago artist, James Cary made the sculptural assemblage, Madonna of the Syringes.
British photographer, Nigel Brunston has contributed generously to these shows. Seen above is Mona Bennet and Catherie Swanson from his series, Harm Reduction Heroes.
The People’s Harm Reduction Alliance’s, (PHRA) of Seattle, Olympia, and Portland, Shilo Jama made Yes We Narcan with Nigel’s photo of Dan Bigg.
Lastly, Erica Ernst, this show’s guest curator designed her own Anatomical Heart / Syringe tatoo.
Contributors:
Suzanne Calsburg-Rascich: CRA Research Director, DePaul University, School of Public Health, Artist
Nigel Brundston: Harm reduction photographer, videographer, activist from Derby UK
James Cary: Activist and artist from Chicago
Ben Kurstin: Photographer from Chicago