Us Project is a movement against victim shaming by collecting the stories from 50 people who are living with the experience of sexual abuse.
Auckland
It took Whangarei photographer Megan Bowers-Vette 28 years to speak out about the sexual abuse she suffered as a 9-year-old.
Now she is questioning why our society silences and shames victims - and wants to challenge this through her new exhibition “Us”, which will feature the images and stories of 50 brave survivors from around New Zealand.
“The intention of this project is to start creating a sense of community where currently people feel isolated and alone… At the moment survivors are invisible as we are separated from one another by our silence,” Ms Bowers-Vette says.
The ambitious project will grow over time and create a space for conversation about rape and abuse in a real way without the fear, guilt or the sensationalism that scares the victims into silence.
Ms Bowers-Vette says her own childhood experience left her feeling like she was “damaged goods” and made her question her own worth.
“What if this had been different?” she asks.
“We are not damaged goods, we are powerful people. By standing and telling our stories we will create a new possibility of understanding in others. By showing our faces and not being afraid, We will begin a chain that will allow healing to start for another.”
More than 30 people - mostly from Auckland and Northland - have agreed to participate in “Us” so far, and Ms Bowers-Vette is looking for up to 20 more, particularly those living outside the regions mentioned above. The exhibition will feature both men and women.
Whangarei Art Museum will host the exhibition for 6 weeks from June 4, it will then likely tour the country.
After the initial tour a website and blog will be created to reach a further audience and to keep adding subjects to the shoot list. The intention is for the exhibition to be shown again every year or 18 months, with the new subjects added, and expanding around the world.
“My grand vision is in 10 years time there will be an exhibition in a massive space, with 1000 portraits on the walls,” Ms Bowers-Vette says.
You can find updates on the Us project at www.facebook.com/usproject2017/ and www.meganbowersvette.co.nz
Megan is available for interviews on 022 412 3733 or usproject2017@gmail.com
I am the founder and photographer for the Us Project
Funds will go towards travel within New Zealand to photograph participants and collect their stories, as well as to fund the physical costs of exhibition and publication, such as printing, framing, crating, transport and promotion.
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