Through Different Eyes, 21st May at the George Paton Gallery

World Vision Australia Chief Executive Tim Costello opened the fundraising exhibition Through Different Eyes, declaring that to address the problems of terrorism, poverty and climate change, it was necessary to develop a global ethic.

The opening of Through Different Eyes, attended by over 200 people, captured the kaleidoscope of creativity, energy, food, music and colour experienced by a team of Australian volunteers working in Kolkata, India in January 2007. The exhibition represents the culmination of a series of volunteer-run creative workshops which took place at two Indian NGOs: the Centre for Communication and Development (CCD) and the Institute for Social Work (ISW).

Through photography, mosaics, creative writing and drawing, disadvantaged children at CCD and ISW created many rich, startling images and stories, reflecting their distinctive cultural and physical environment. The children’s photographs, along with those of
photography workshop coordinators Lisa Stewart and Michael Chew, will be available for sale to raise much-needed funds for CCD and ISW.

Friends of Kolkata is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit group which coordinates volunteer placements and welfare, environment and education projects in Kolkata, India in partnership with CCD and ISW. This event is generously supported by Ted's Camera Stores Australia and the University of Melbourne Student Union.

Through Different Eyes offered the viewer a chance to get a glimpse into the lives and dreams of these children; an experience that delighted, overwhelmed and inspired!