Champions | Bastiaan Woudt
The Story behind Champions by Bastiaan Woudt
Shot in Zambia by fine art photographer Bastiaan Woudt, Champions is a powerful photographic series created in collaboration with Orange Babies to mark their 25th anniversary. An organisation dedicated to supporting HIV-positive men, women and children in developing countries, Orange Babies produced this moving project to highlight their resilience and help them strive for a better future.
Through Woudt’s lens, the struggle and spirit of these people are captured and preserved, each portrait and landscape embodying the challenges they face and their unwavering courage. Champions is a testament to the strength of the human heart and the determination to not just survive but truly thrive.
“The core of Champions lies in Zambia, where people seen as victims actually become champions within their communities. These young, formidable Zambians play a vital role in spreading awareness about HIV and creating safe spaces for peers to discuss essential topics, including sexual education. In Champions, I chose to show these young adults as advocates, as incredible symbols of dignity and strength, flourishing against all odds. I aimed to transform them into heroes, warriors, kings and queens, a visual representation of their indispensable role in the fight against HIV and AIDS.” Woudt says.
Recent UNAIDS figures indicate that 39 million people worldwide live with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections in 2022 alone. The statistics on young women and children are particularly alarming; in 2021, 2.1 million young women between the ages of 15 and 24 and 1.7 million children were infected with HIV. Completely staggering.
The project also portrays the broader community, from schoolchildren to the vast landscapes in which they live and work. These images reflect the reality of living with HIV and the power of hope and community.
As part of Woudt's participation in Orange Babies' Champions project, he generously donated works with a total value of €195,760. During a charity event to unveil the first images from this project, Woudt raised over €120,000, 100% of which was donated to Orange Babies. Going forward, all pieces in the series will be available through Woudt's international galleries, with 10% of all sales donated to Orange Babies. These contributions will support their vital work in Zambia and other HIV-affected countries.
