Overview
The people who the general populace usually like to pass by at a quicker pace and mumble 'no, sorry' to, are hosting a photography exhibition showcasing their perspective on the world this June. “It’s photography from a pavement-up perspective, from the point of view of a real person beyond the context they find themselves in. It’s their story, their voice,” Jonathan Lyon, the photographer spearheading the This is My Voice exhibition said.
Lyon partnered with Auckland City Mission to teach homeless people photography skills. This is My Voice, shows Lyon's work as well as that of three of the photographers - Shadow, Mel Robinson and Rangi Carroll - whom he taught. All used the Mission's services at some point during their lives. “This Is My Voice seeks to provide a voice to those who are rarely heard,” affirmed Lyon. “It’s about empowerment, esteem, story-telling and the democratisation of creativity from the perspective of homeless people.”
In the last financial year, the Auckland City Mission received 41,228 visits to its daily homeless drop-in service, during which it served 222,835 hot drinks and thousands of meals.