Behind the Smile

Overview

Mental-health charity Voices of Hope has launched Behind the Smile, a gallery exhibition that highlights 11 everyday New Zealanders' journey with mental health. The charity joined forces with award-winning photographer Tom Gould to capture these subjects in their happy place, while having a frank conversation about what demons they may have faced or continue to face.

These discussions have been made into a powerful audio-visual exhibition, aiming to broadcast the plight someone might be facing, behind their smile. The exhibition acts as a sequel to Voices of Hope's 'Behind the Jersey' campaign, which highlighted the difficulties that New Zealand's best sporting stars were facing, despite looking like they were living their dream.

Through this showcase, the charity hopes that it may be able to bring reassurance to Kiwis who are going through a tough time, as well as creating a sense of empathy in the exhibition's viewers.

The free exhibition displays at Allpress Studio in Freemans Bay from Friday, February 16–Friday, March 8.