The photographer comes from South Africa and lives in California (USA). Brent Stirton has received numerous awards for his urgent and moving discussions of humanitarian issues, environmental problems, conflicts and diseases. In photojournalism, Stirton takes unusual approaches to exposure and is known for his fast work pace. On average, he spends more than half of the year traveling. Among other things, for renowned titles such as “National Geographic”, “Newsweek”, “Times Magazine” and “The Sunday Times Magazine”. His work has been recognized thirteen times by the World Press Photo Foundation and recognized by the United Nations.
After working with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Ford Foundation and the Clinton Foundation, only the Ströck family’s Austrian WE&ME Foundation managed to win the photographer over for a joint project. In August 2024, he visited ten people suffering from ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and documented how much this little-researched disease dominates and limits the everyday lives of patients and their relatives. In sensitive and touching images, Stirton approaches an illness that, due to its serious effects on the lives of those affected, usually has to be endured in the exclusion of society and often takes the sufferers away from their social life. The project was created in collaboration with Lois Lammerhuberfestival director “La Gacilly-Baden Photo”, and is intended to contribute to the public perception of ME/CFS.
A small selection of this series will be on display for the first time at “ART&ANTIQUE” in the Hofburg Vienna, from November 7th to 11th, 2024. The images will subsequently be presented at the “La Gacilly” photo festival in Baden near Vienna next year.
As part of the fair, a special charity campaign entitled “HELFEN ART DEALERS” will take place in favor of the WE&ME Foundation. This initiative was launched by five renowned art dealers and “ART&ANTIQUE HOFBURG Vienna”. As part of this campaign, five high-quality works of art will be raffled off, which were donated by the following galleries and art shops: Kunsthandel Freller, Galerie Kovacek, Giese & Schweiger Kunsthandel, Kunsthandel Florian Kolhammer and the Galerie bei der Albertina Zetter.
The raffle will take place on November 10, 2024, at 3 p.m., directly at the “ART&ANTIQUE HOFBURG Vienna”. Tickets are now available for 20 euros in the participating galleries and on site at the fair. Information about the works of art and the raffle weandmecfs.org
About the WE&ME Foundation
The WE&ME Foundation (formerly TEMPI Foundation) was founded in 2020 by Gabriele and Gerhard Ströck founded and is based in Vienna. The Ströck family’s journey has been profoundly influenced by the impact of ME/CFS and has shaped the nature and purpose of the WE&ME Foundation with unwavering determination. Two of her three sons are affected by ME/CFS. The WE&ME Foundation is committed to basic research in the field of ME/CFS. She wants to bring together and bundle the knowledge from research, medicine and patient experience and create broad awareness so that the necessary patient care can be achieved. Further information on weandmecfs.org
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