By Alanah May Eriksen
There aren't many women in the world who can say they own 1480 bras.
But in February 2004, Christchurch woman Lynne Lambert travelled around the country collecting bras from breast cancer survivors and supporters to celebrate her 10th year free of the disease.
The result is a vibrant and witty exhibition of 1480 bras, 668 from survivors, entitled The LIVLIF Project, which opens at Rotorua Museum tomorrow.
"It benefits women who are going through or have just been diagnosed with breast cancer to know there are other people out there going through the same thing," she said.
"It's great to be able to give some hope and support. It's absolutely wonderful and I'm proud."
Ms Lambert was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994 and underwent a partial mastectomy but 13 years later feels "better than ever".
All the bras she has collected from survivors are displayed and colour-coded in the museum's gallery. The bras from supporters are made into "perennials".
"They hang individually, each has a character that identifies the owner. It's a silent gathering of unity," Ms Lambert said.
She has also made a couch and large ball of bras and collected letters from survivors to display on the walls.
"All these women see themselves as survivors. Some may have died, but it's a survival of spirit. This is us, this is New Zealand, this is our women. It's no longer my story, it's our story."
Ms Lambert said magazine and television interviews about the exhibition had helped spread the message that breast cancer could be overcome.
Rotorua is the first North Island city to see LIVLIF. She will give a floor talk on The LIVLIF Project tomorrow at 2pm at the museum. The exhibition is on until April 15.
