A classic photo for a new cause

A CLASSIC: Kaan Zamaan Gallery owner Julia Reinholt and photographer Frank Habicht. Photograph Peter de Graaf

A classic, out-of-print photograph taken of an anti-war protest more than 40 years ago is being sold to raise money for the victims of a much more recent conflict.

The silver gelatine print of Frank Habicht's 1968 image of actress Vanessa Redgrave protesting against the Vietnam War is one of only three produced at the Paris lab that also made prints for the great French photo-journalist Henri Cartier-Bresson.

German-born Mr Habicht, who made his name in London in the 1960s but now lives in Russell, has donated the framed print to a charity art exhibition at Kerikeri's Kaan Zamaan Gallery, that will raise money for child victims of the war in Gaza of July-August this year.

The exhibition, 'We Care,' will run from October 3-8. As well as Mr Habicht's famous photo, it will feature works donated by leading Northland and national artists including Richard Adams, Scott McFarlane, Herb Foley, Chris Booth, Lee Brogan, Rachel Miller, Liz McAuliffe and others.

Also on display will be photographs of everyday life in Gaza by former Northland Age reporter Kate Shuttleworth, now a freelance journalist in Jerusalem. Kaan Zamaan owner Julia Reinholt has close ties to the Middle East. She received much of her schooling in Beirut, then returned to teach Palestinian children in Syria, Jordan and the West Bank.

When the seriousness of the latest conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza became apparent - more than 2000 Gazans, including about 500 children, were killed - Ms Reinholt asked all the artists she knew to donate a piece of work.

"The response was immediate. They're all people with heart," she said.

Proceeds from the show would be split between Kia Ora Gaza and Save the Children.

The Kiwi charity Kia Ora Gaza was in desperate need of new ambulances after 40 were destroyed in the latest conflict, while Save the Children needed to replenish its medical supplies, she said.

Watching the suffering from afar made her feel helpless, she added, but organising a fundraising exhibition was the one way she could help.

As another drawcard the gallery would have two works by a top New Zealand artist on loan during the exhibition.

Mr Habicht said his famous image was taken when, as a young freelance photographer, he was sent to cover a protest outside the US embassy in London's Grosvenor Square.

The fringe newspaper he worked for, The Black Dwarf, had been tipped off that Vanessa Redgrave would be there. Her placard read, 'War is not good for children or any living thing.'

The photo had been published many times, and had become popular as a universal anti-war image.

When one of the two other prints made by Toros Lab was sold in France recently it fetched $3000, Mr Habicht saying he hoped the print for sale in Kerikeri would fetch a similar sum for the two charities.

Kaan Zamaan is located upstairs on Hobson Ave, next to Kerikeri's PostShop.