Hundreds of people filled the 1006 S. Michigan Ave. Building gallery space on Feb. 5 for a new exhibit that proved to be emotional and moving.

The gallery was near capacity during its opening reception for the photography exhibit “Congo/Women Portraits of War: The Democratic Republic of Congo.” Many in attendance were moved to tears by the photographs on display.

Visitors huddled in groups to discuss the photos and words like “horrible,” “disturbing,””atrocious” and “upsetting” could be heard drifting through conversations, and no one was critiquing the quality of art.

The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia is a group dedicated to bringing important women’s issues to the forefront. The institute recently organized the photography exhibit, “Congo/Women Portraits of War: The Democratic Republic of Congo” in collaboration with Art Works Projects.

The exhibit was co-directed by Jane M. Saks, Director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute, and Leslie Thomas, director of Art Works Projects.

The exhibit is a collection of life-sized photos printed on fabric that center around the lives of Congolese women, created by award-winning photojournalists Lynsey Addario, Marcus Bleasdale, Ron Haviv and James Nachtwey.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC, has long been a nation ravaged by civil war. Rape and gender-based violence are epidemics plaguing the country. The multimedia exhibit also includes essays and audio pieces that serve as graphic representations of life in the DRC. The photographs are candid moments depicting the lives of women and children who have suffered through war, abuse, rape and death.

Saks and Thomas have been working on the project for more than a year.

“I think art has the unique ability to create conversations in new ways,” Saks said. “This is not an easy conversation to have, but it is a necessary conversation.”

An attendant at the show, Shirley Wess-Young, said that this kind of coverage and exposure is what the country should be paying attention to.

“I find these photographs very difficult to view,” Wess-Young said. “However, I am delighted that this show is here. Britney Spears, Michael Phelps-they are irrelevant. These are issues that we need to be talking about. These are issues the media has been completely irresponsible with.”

Jimmie Briggs, author of Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War, has spent time researching in the DRC and accompanied Bleasdale while he was photographing in the region.

Briggs spoke during the opening ceremony and thanked the crowd on behalf of the Congolese people.

“I ask you not to look at these women as victims, but survivors,” Briggs said. “This presentation is a very powerful statement about these people’s lives.”

Gallery-goers swarmed around Briggs as he recounted stories of his time in the DRC and urged people to become activists for the cause.

“This is an issue to call,” Briggs said. “I implore you to do whatever you can to make a difference in this situation.”

Briggs then recounted a story told to him by a rape victim in the DRC as listeners gasped in horror.

Michael Johnson, a sophomore theater major, spent time in South Africa during a study abroad program and was compelled to visit the exhibit by what he learned during his experiences South Africa. During his time there, he was educated about the civil wars happening all over Africa and the displacement of refugees.

“I think it’s very important that college students visit exhibits like this,” Johnson said. “Especially students at Columbia, we have a duty to use our art to create voices for those who don’t have one.”

The exhibit opened during African Heritage Month, a month-long event at Columbia when African culture is celebrated and discussed.

“This is perfect timing for this exhibit,” Johnson said. “I think we all need to come together, not just black and African cultures, but everyone, to support issues like this.”

The exhibit will be showing at the 1006 S. Michigan Ave. Building until Feb. 14, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The show will then tour around North America, Europe and Africa.

For more information, visit Colum.edu/InstituteWomenGender.