Photography student's fight to redefine diversity

CELEBRATING: Meli Berands has created a book full of pictures showcasing subjects who were asked to bare their soul. PHOTO: KARLA KARAITIANA

A Ucol Bachelor of Visual Imaging student is using an exhibition to break down barriers and celebrate unity within diversity.

Entitled I am more than just ... , this photographic exhibition opens tomorrow and features 30 people who have shared their stories of social definitions and exposed who they are beneath these.

Exhibition photographer Meli Berands was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 33, which she says changed the course of her life forever. She underwent a double mastectomy and began a journey of accepting her new body and finding a way to redefine her life.

"My breast cancer journey may have inspired me to create a project like this, but like the people within the project, I don't want to be defined by the fact," Mrs Berands says.

"Surviving cancer is a huge part of who I am, it was massive, but I am so much more than a person who has had breast cancer."

Ucol lecturer Gary Whiting guided Mrs Berands through the conceptual process of her project.

"Meli has always shown a deep interest and concern for social justice." he says. "These people literally reveal themselves to her in the most trusting way. That says a lot about who she is as a person."

Mrs Berands has created a book as the final project in her degree which features before and after photographs, as well as statements from her subjects. The exhibition is something she created as a way of thanking her participants and bringing them together to celebrate.

"To be able to create a project like this, it doesn't make sense to just make a book and be done with it," Mrs Berands says. "You have to bring them all together to celebrate this thing we have all helped to create."

She says she is inspired by the courage of those who came forward to share their stories.

"I am the project creator but it wouldn't be what it is without all these people who said, 'photograph me and I will bare my soul to the world' and they have."

I am more than just ... opens tomorrow, 6pm-8pm at 89 Queen Street, Palmerston North.