Kerry Cole

Cross Rhythms Co-Founder and partner of Cornerstone Vision, Kerry Cole was invited by the Prime Minister to 10 Downing Street for a private viewing of photographs from a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo by world-famous photographer Rankin, in his role as Oxfam Ambassador.

His past photographic works have included portraits of the Queen, Gordon Brown, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and many celebrities - in stark contrast to his ground-breaking assignment in the Congo.

Kerry said: "It was a great privilege and honour to be invited to such an important event. On display were outstanding photographic portraits of Congolese people - ordinary people like you or I living in one of the toughest places on earth."

"Photographed against a plain white background, Rankin wanted his portraits to be different from the traditional pictures of disaster zones that we in the West have been anaesthetised to. He wanted us to connect with their humanity - to see the expressions in their eyes and faces."

Kerry added: "The photograph that touched me the most was of a 28 year old mother called Furaha. Her testimony was that she had to hide in the bush for four days with her children to try to protect them from groups of rebel gunmen. They had to sleep outside with no food and the children got sick because of mosquitoes." When Furaha's children cried she had to put her hands over their mouths so they wouldn't be heard for if they were found they would be killed."

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown hosted the event and in his speech commended Rankin's outstanding work.

Rankin gave a heart warming account of how he got involved with the Oxfam/Rankin project and how he stepped aside from his usual world of fashion and beauty photography to enter into the suffering of the people of the Congo. He conveyed his hope that the images will promote understanding and ultimately action.

Dame Barbara Stocking, Chief Executive of Oxfam gave a short speech alerting us to the plight of the multitudes of people who suffer in such appalling situations. She drew attention to the Congolese people and gave them a voice.

Kerry said: "It was a sobering yet warm hearted gathering where somehow love and war met in a beautiful display of images of our fellow human beings. Rankin's tremendous gift elevated the courage and fortitude of these people who are just trying to live life amidst desperate circumstances."

For Kerry Cole, who is shortly to release her own project using art and poetry to speak healing into the brokenness of our Western society, this was an example of the influence released when key components come together.

"The synergy between Rankin's great art and Oxfam's tremendous cause reflects everything that Cross Rhythms and Cornerstone Vision stand for - using art and media to impact people in a positive way," she said.

For more information about the book We Are Congo visit www.oxfam.org.uk.