Through Adversity Exhibition : A review

Am apologising up front if any of the following is unusually profound or philosophical … although, I seriously doubt much of it will be

Wow! What am amazing night.

Friday night (the one just gone) was the opening night for the Through Adversity Exhibition, hosted by Adori Studios in Mooloolaba (Sunshine Coast). I’ve known Bec, the phographer in question and the insitgator of such an exhibition, for approximately give years. Mostly online. I do know she is an incredible and amazing photographer… I don’t know much about photography, so am at a loss for words as to explain just how clever she is.

I do know that when I flew up to spend a day or two with her last month, and to have my photos taken for this event, she allowed me to be comfortable in sharing my adversity with her. She made me feel safe. And we had LOADS of fun!

Bec sent me two photos, prior to the Exhibition, asking me how I preferred to be presented; “strong and powerful” or “dark and comic”? A difficult choice, as, at the time, I was feeling neither strong, powerful nor comic. Dark I could do.

Both images were so powerful, yet completely in contrast to each other … it was a tough decision. Bec made it. I’m glad she chose the one she did.

The atmosphere and energy at Adori Studios was incredible, and the stories of the 13 other women were heartwrenching and inspiring at the same time. The photos … I have no words to describe how awesome they were. Two had won awards. I’m not surprised …

I was invited to speak at the event, and share my story with those in attendance. I was rendered almost speechless. So inadequate and unworthy did I feel to be amongst these women. I felt like a fraud and like I didn’t deserve to be one to be exhibited as having been “through adversity”.

The stories these women shared, and the experiences they have, well, experienced, were awe inspring. Their images, their stories captured by Bec, were even more so. A picture tells a thousand words, they say … and they do.

For a while there, it looked like I wasn’t going to be there, but through the sheer generosity of women who have experienced adversity themselves, and Kellogg’s, I was there. Oh, of course, also my amazing family who support me in all these crazy things I do.

(That, or they’re glad to be rid of me for a night or two )

This whole experience, for me, was more than just having a couple of fun portraits taken (although it was that as well), it was … and I apologise for any of this sounding potentially wanky … eye opening and life changing.

What it did for me was reinforce how the things we do can touch so many others. Even if we do those things to save ourselves.

I don’t see myself like this often … strong and powerful … but maybe sometimes I am like this, and sometimes others see me like it:

This isn’t the photo Bec chose of me to be exhibited at the Exhibition, this was the other one.

She chose “dark and comic” a complete contrast to this one … nothing like it at all.

Yet at the same time, it is a strong and powerful image.

The Exhibition is open to the public for another two weeks at:

Adori Studios
20 Walan Street
Mooloolaba

Entry is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to local Sunshine Coast Charity, Sunny Kids … I hope you can make it to see it.

If you do, I would LOVE to hear your experience.