As Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicked off this October, OHEN Underwear has stepped up to support the 3,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually in New Zealand.
Breast cancer has remained the leading cancer affecting women in New Zealand, and OHEN, known for specialising in lingerie and self-care, believed it’s uniquely positioned to help.
“Breasts are at the heart of what we do, and we want to make sure breast health is a collective responsibility. No one should face breast cancer without the support they need’” said co-founder Lu Blade, who is passionate about raising awareness and supporting women in their fight against breast cancer.
OHEN has presented a multidisciplinary art exhibition in Auckland to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand (BCFNZ) this October. A diverse collective of twenty contemporary Kiwi artists and gallerists have generously donated their work to be auctioned in support of this vital cause.
The exhibition will feature smaller works available for direct purchase throughout, while larger pieces (valued at $1,000 and above) will be auctioned off on the 23rd of October. Proceeds from the event will be donated directly to BCFNZ, providing crucial support for breast cancer research, awareness, and early detection programs.
Artists and galleries involved in the exhibition include works in many mediums—jewellery by Claire Hammon from Meadowlark, glass works by Kate Mitchell, Simon Lewis-Wards, and Kate Ruteki, paintings by Grace Bader, Ruby Wilkinson, and Alan Ibell, prints by Claudia Kogachi and Priscilla Rose Howe, a unique sculpture by Caitlin Devoy, ‘Switch (mid-mid),’ and photographic works by photographer and director Amber Jones, among others.
More than just an art show, this exhibition has sought to spark meaningful conversations and inspire action. Currently, 30 percent of eligible Kiwi women aren’t utilising their free mammograms. This exhibition has hoped to empower visitors to take charge of their breast health while encouraging the women around them to do the same.
Hosted at Allpress Studio in Auckland, the exhibition has invited guests to explore various artistic mediums and participate in this powerful effort to prioritise breast health.
