The Portraits of Strength exhibition, by New Zealand photographer Damien Nikora, captures a moment in time of eleven courageous women affected by breast cancer and will be shown from 19 October at Achilles House in Auckland.

The exhibition is a collection of emotive portraits that aims to support and inspire women, their partners, families and friends living with breast cancer.

The Portraits of Strength exhibition, by New Zealand photographer Damien Nikora, captures a moment in time of eleven courageous women affected by breast cancer and will be shown from 19 October at Achilles House in Auckland.

The exhibition is a collection of emotive portraits that aims to support and inspire women, their partners, families and friends living with breast cancer.

Photographer Damien Nikora says that the major part of this project was to allow the women to speak openly, freely and honestly about what is happening to them as they battle with the disease.

“As a photographer my goal was to photograph these women with sensitivity and earn a trust that allowed feelings of fear and vulnerability to be exchanged for empowerment and confidence,” he says.

“As you engage with the portraits and words you can’t help but be amazed by the courage and strength common to these women.”

The nature of each major portrait is confronting, beautiful and inspiring with the overall aim of the exhibition to raise awareness of breast cancer.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) is proud to support Mr Nikora with this project, assisting with finding women to participate in the exhibition and facilitating with access to breast cancer support and survivor groups.

Executive Trustee Heather Shotter says that projects like the Portraits of Strength exhibition show how important it is that women get to see images of life after breast cancer and reinforce the message that breast cancer is a survivable disease.

“Ten years ago it was thought of as a death sentence. Now, close to 85% of women survive breast cancer diagnosis and these life affirming images are a positive validation of that fact,” she said.

Portraits of Strength
Who: Damien Nikora
What: Portraits of Strength Exhibition
Where: Achilles House, 8 Commerce Street, Level 1, Suite 105
When: Opening Night 6:30pm, Tuesday, 19th October - Will run weekdays until Friday 29th October, 10am – 3pm