BROWN & BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION: SISTERS UNITED

"Negative body image is a big issue with our young women & with this exhibition we hope to do our part in empowering our young girls to love what they look like no matter what shade of brown, shape, size they are, imperfections & to celebrate their unique features. They are Polynesian Queens" - Sisters United.

The 'Brown & Beautiful' exhibition is currently on at the Fresh Gallery in Otara until next Saturday the 19th of November & celebrates the natural beauty of our Pasifika young women, their different shades of brown skin and varied shapes and sizes.

The exhibition is curated by Sisters United - Goebel sisters Parris, Kendal and Narelle - who run exciting, fresh and creative programmes for Young women aged 12 - 21 in Auckland and New Zealand wide.  

 One of those programmes is the Young Queens Programme  which is a 1 year weekly mentoring programme run in Auckland High Schools for year 12 & 13 Pasifika students.  The programme uses educational and creative workshops such as spoken word, dance, crafts and life skills which help them build their self confidence, teach life skills and exposes the young women to new experiences and new role models which prepare and support them as they transition out of High School.

The portraits in the exhibition are taken of the mentors who participated in this programme - young women themselves who have used their voice and leadership skills to give back to other young women, stand up for what they believe in and show other Pasifika girls they are brown, bold and beautiful.

One of the young women featured was Mangere College Head Girl Rain Te'i who was at the exhibition opening night.   She says "I am strong, I am intelligent, I am resilient. I am a Southside Success. I am a dream from those who've come before and a love letter to those who will come after."

The vision behind the exhibition was for it to be a series of stunning portraits celebrating the natural beauty of our Pasifika Young Queens.

"In a world of unrealistic body standards shown on social media and widespread struggles with body image, this collection of images empowers women to learn to love what they see in the mirror and to embrace their unique features."   

The portraits were taken by talented photographer Rachel Soh and the exhibition itself is also in collaboration with talented Cook Islands artist, designer and choreographer Vivian Aue who has contributed to the exhibition with some of his own designs.

Side note - Vivian is holding his own fashion and dance show this evening Wednesday 9th November called 'NGAMETUA' which he dedicates to his beautiful mother Ngametua Aue  and has already sold out.

The Brown & Beautiful exhibition is on for another week and a half and is FREE 

What:  Brown & Beautiful exhibition by Sisters United 

Where:  Fresh Gallery, Shop 5, 46 Fairmall, Otara, Auckland 

When:  Now until Saturday the 19th of November - click this link for info on timings of when the gallery is open.

Go tell your girls, cousins, sisters, mothers, auntys and friends and fam to pop in and check it out.

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air