Along the Thames River runs a variety of London’s culture. From historic places such as Westminster Abbey and London Bridge, to a new age art scene and outlawed skate park – it is a hot spot for both tourists and locals to take a stroll. Located strategically along that walk is a small art gallery that is hosting a 2-week exhibition called “In Kony’s Shadow.”

The subtlety of its title is just enough to draw unsuspecting pedestrians into the gallery, where they find a shock of reality and a wave of sadness and truth.

The entry wall is lined with a list of “Kony’s Commandments” followed by quotes from victims’ families and pictures of their recovery.

 “Alone, I dug a big grave up to my waist and buried the bodies of my family”

read the words of Martin Olanyah, a former father and husband.

The middle walls of the gallery depicted general photos of war torn villages, and listed irregular laws that the LRA abided by. The rules included dietary restrictions, superstitions, and religious rituals.

The third wall stopped every viewer mid-step. Titled “Mutilations,” the pictures showed victims whose noses, lips, ears and fingers had been dismantled by the LRA. The portraits were taken in a shadow-like setting, with light barely touching the subjects – highlighting their mutilations and communicating empowerment through their positioning.

I spoke with observers who could hardly comprehend what they saw. “I knew about Kony from KONY2012,” one viewer said, “but this makes you actually stop and think about the reality of what he does to people.”

Oryem Kenneth, 42 was abducted by the LRA for two days in 2003. They cut off his lips and ears with a knife and his fingers with an axe. He's scheduled to receive plastic surgery, via the Refugee Law Project. See more images from the exhibition here.

Oryem Kenneth, 42 was abducted by the LRA for two days in 2003. They cut off his lips and ears with a knife and his fingers with an axe. He’s scheduled to receive plastic surgery, via the Refugee Law Project. See more images from the exhibition here.

Christian Aid works in affiliation with Refugee Law Project and National Memory and Peace Documentation Centre (NMPDC) located in the Kitgum District of Northern Uganda. The organizations work together with the goal to document the people and children who have gone missing over the past 20+ years due to LRA attacks. The purpose of their work is to aid in the healing process and provide closure for communities trying to rebuild.

While Invisible Children continues to seek an end to LRA violence, other organizations have adopted their own approach to addressing “Africa’s longest running war.” This is what it means to be a part of a global community- this is what defines the Fourth Estate.

– Jaide Garcia

(Photo credits: Jaide Garcia, Christian Aid)