About the Collection
A Test of Love is a historical black-and-white photographic documentary begun in Utah in 1989 and first exhibited in 1990, during one of the most devastating periods of the American AIDS epidemic.
Photographed with a Hasselblad camera, the collection offers an intimate portrayal of people living with HIV/AIDS and the families, friends, and loved ones whose lives were profoundly affected.
At a time when fear, discrimination, and misinformation often overshadowed compassion, A Test of Love sought to reveal the humanity behind the diagnosis. Through deeply personal portraits and first-person narratives, participants shared their experiences of love, courage, vulnerability, and extraordinary resilience.
The collection provides an important historical perspective on family relationships, social and religious expectations, discrimination, and the cultural environment of Utah during the AIDS crisis, including the experiences of LGBTQ individuals and communities. While the epidemic profoundly affected gay men, the documentary deliberately embraces the wider human experience, challenging the misconception that AIDS belonged to any single group of people.
Beyond the photographs, the documentary archive preserves the participants' original handwritten personal statements, Spanish translations of many of their stories, audio and video interviews with the artist and participants, surviving photographic negatives and contact sheets, original darkroom notes and prints, signed releases, press coverage, exhibition reviews, visitor feedback, letters of appreciation, correspondence, and exhibition documentation. Together, these materials offer valuable resources for museums, historians, researchers, and future generations.
More than a record of an epidemic, A Test of Love is a testament to our shared humanity—and a reminder of the power of compassion in the face of fear.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Cheri Piefke is a photographer and visual storyteller whose documentary A Test of Love began in Utah in 1989, at a time when people living with HIV/AIDS faced widespread fear, isolation, and discrimination.
Before photographing each participant, Cheri spent more than an hour listening to their story and exploring how they wished to be seen. Working with a Hasselblad camera, a single roll of twelve exposures on 120 film, and the simplest of lighting—a household lightbulb suspended from an extension cord—she created intimate portraits grounded in trust, compassion, and human connection.
First exhibited in 1990 and subsequently presented across the United States and Europe, A Test of Love brought together photography and personal testimony to challenge stereotypes and encourage understanding.
Today, Cheri seeks a permanent institutional home for A Test of Love and its historical archive, preserving the participants' voices for future generations.
Personal statement
When I began A Test of Love in 1989, people living with AIDS faced not only a devastating diagnosis but also widespread fear, rejection, and discrimination. Effective combination treatments were still years away, and many lived with the painful uncertainty of how much time they had left.
My involvement was deeply personal. I witnessed the suffering of people close to me, from childhood friends to colleagues, and saw how fear and misunderstanding could overshadow compassion. I felt compelled to challenge those perceptions and give a voice to individuals whose humanity was too often lost behind the stigma of their diagnosis.
Through photography and personal narratives, I hoped to create something that went beyond documenting an illness. I wanted people to see the individuals—their relationships, their dreams, their courage, and their capacity for love. I hoped to bridge the gap between ignorance and compassion.
What I could never have anticipated was how profoundly these extraordinary people would change my own life. They taught me the importance of embracing the present moment, cherishing those we love, and living life to its fullest without delay.
Today, my commitment remains as strong as it was when I first picked up my camera. I want to honor those who shared their lives with me, preserve their voices, and ensure that their stories continue to inspire understanding and compassion for generations to come.
More than anything, A Test of Love is about our shared humanity. The participants wanted to be understood, not pitied. Their courage, resilience, and love deserve never to be forgotten.