Vancouver's 69 missing women will not be forgotten on the eve of the Olympics.
Artist Pamela Masik is finalizing details for a January 2010 unveiling of 10 portraits of women who have gone missing, most living in the Downtown Eastside.
"I believe the focus during the Olympics will be primarily on the Olympics, however, when looking at the reality of such tragedies that have occurred in our city, I think it is best to look at it head on and take responsibility to then create change," she said.
Masik spent the past three years creating "The Forgotten", a collection of 69 towering portraits intended to raise awareness of perceptions of marginalized groups often viewed as castoffs.
Since Masik's June introduction of "Mona", a depiction of Mona Wilson - an aboriginal who died at the hands of convicted killer Robert Pickton - friends and family of the women have shown support.
"I believe up to this point, the families and friends understand on a much deeper level, that these women and the issues need to be heard," she said.
The full collection is scheduled for exhibition in 2011.
Said Masik: "This is not to interfere with the games, but to show the world that people do care in this city about our own tragedies and are addressing them."
