A photography exhibition featuring life, religion, culture and healthcare in Cambodia is to take place in ARC, Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees from 6 March to 24 April.
The photographs have been taken by Newcastle-based clinical psychologist Dr Amy Izycky, who travelled to Cambodia with the charity in November 2018.
The photographs illustrate aspects of Khmer life as seen through Amy’s unique lens. They show some classic, as well as thought-provoking, images.
Amy said: “I am delighted to be staging this exhibition in Stockton because Transform Healthcare Cambodia’s roots are in Teesside. I had been to Cambodia previously. But It was a privilege to go out again with the charity to work and document healthcare to increase awareness.
“I hope the exhibition gives people a flavour of Khmer people and culture. The country is rebuilding itself after the civil war and managing the fallout from trauma. The photographs are designed to reflect some of the religious, cultural and geographical aspects which affect how healthcare is provided.
Chair of Transform Healthcare Cambodia Sue Smith OBE, who was director of nursing at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, and is a founder member of the charity, said: “Transform Healthcare Cambodia was set up by people from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Teesside University.
“I am incredibly proud of the work done by North Tees and Hartlepool and the university which made this all happen. The first clinical team, led by former consultant in palliative care medicine at the Trust Professor Edwin Pugh, and made up mostly of people from North Tees and Hartlepool, went to Battambang in November 2014.
“We have just sent our 12th clinical team to continue teaching and sharing practice with our Khmer colleagues. Last summer we sent our fourth team of second year student nurses from the university. Some of whom are now qualified and working at North Tees and Hartlepool now.
“This exhibition showcases Amy’s amazing work but it’s also a celebration of Transform Healthcare Cambodia and how far it has come in 10 years.
“I’m also very grateful to the many people who welcomed our Cambodian doctors when they visited the UK. Sharing practice is invaluable to enable our Khmer colleagues to develop their own services.
“I am now executive director of nursing at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. So the charity has spread across the A66. But we are still looking for people to go on future trips from both sides of the country.
“This exhibition showcases Amy’s amazing work. But it’s also a celebration of Transform Healthcare Cambodia and how far it has come in 10 years.
“I will be delighted to see former colleagues from North Tees and Hartlepool at the launch. I hope people will go and see the exhibition when it is open to the public.
The exhibition is free and runs from Friday 6 March to Friday 24 April. ARC is open every day except Sunday.
- Find out more about the exhibition on the ARC website
- Find out more about Transform Healthcare Cambodia on Facebook or the Transform Healthcare Cambodia website