Previous Initiative

Photography Exhibit (2006-2007)

During the summer of 2005, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point art student Joseph Quinnell began photojournalistic research inside the child sex trade/prostitution industry in Thailand. Quinnell gathered intelligence in the attempted rescue of two children being sold within a brothel, interviewed numerous women working as prostitutes, helped a young woman who had been ensnared within the traps of prostitution to change the direction of her life, and began friendships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Northern Thailand. The photography exhibit, An Allowance of Dream was the documentation of these events.

An Allowance of Dream was presented in 5 categories:

Color: The Faces of Thailand
Viewers witnessed the people, culture, and brilliant colors of Thailand. Even with the overwhelming darkness of child prostitution within its borders, Thailand is a beautiful country.

A Glimmer of Hope: The Children of NGOs
Viewers were surrounded by children who "do not exist". These children have no date of birth or proof of citizenship, yet are happy, healthy, and well cared-for.

Prostitution: The Cancer of Thailand
Under the guise of sex tourists, viewers toured the red-light districts of Bangkok and Pattaya, entered brothels where no cameras are allowed, and discovered the darkest of corners, in which child sex slaves are offered with a smile.

Prostitution: Grasping to Understand
Viewers were seated across from a husk of a woman whose hourly asking price is $12. She squirmed in her seat and crossed her arms before her in defense. The conversation bobbed and weaved and her every word was a lie.

A Glimmer of Hope: The Story of Mai
An initial interview with a young woman ensnared in prostitution developed unexpectedly into a trusting friendship, and became proof that lives can be saved and a difference can be made.

The exhibit traveled across the state of Wisconsin, raising funds to support Higher Education as Humanitarian Aid scholarships, and making audiences aware of the issue of statelessness and its connection to prostitution in Thailand.

"Joseph Quinnell's art gives escape from the horrific through beauty. Quinnell is an amazing art student and founder of The Thailand Project who uses art to educate others of the sex trade in Southeast Asia and connect students between Wisconsin and Thailand to change people's lives."
Jean Feraca (Wisconsin Public Radio)

"To grasp the real story, one must listen to the gifted
artist who captured the images with his camera, Joseph Quinnell. Hear for yourself Mai's story, a living example of how life can be changed from despair to hope. Her story is disturbing, it's graphic, but it's reality."
Lisa Nellessen-Lara (Managing editor of the Stevens Point Journal)

"Purely from an artistic standpoint, the photographs are intense. The portion of the show that we have here, 'The Cancer of Thailand,' are photographs of red-light districts...for some people they're overwhelming and maybe aren't a subject matter that people want to look at. But, at the same time, I think that's what makes it powerful."
Max Schultz (Director of the Aaron Bohrod Gallery)