Stunning, eye-catching pictures taken by Auckland’s and New Zealand’s leading news media photographers are going on display soon in a unique exhibition for a special cause.
Organiser of the Light+Shade showing, Jason Oxenham, asked 32 of his photojournalist colleagues from across the news media and photo agencies sector to contribute their works.
They’ve all responded enthusiastically, as Oxenham is staging the exhibition to raise funds for his ongoing cancer treatment.
“With no funded treatment options left after more than five years fighting a blood cancer, multiple myeloma, I took the option recently to fly to Shanghai for CAR-T therapy,” he says.
“I’m home from China and the [medical] numbers are looking very positive. But I still have fundraising to do.”
Oxenham, an outstanding all-round photographer who has worked for long stints at the New Zealand Herald and Stuff in a 30-year career, says he asked his network of photographers he’s worked with or alongside over the three decades “to donate a few images each”.
“With the help of my former colleagues, Michael Craig, Alex Robertson and Mike Scott, we selected 70 images to display.
“Seventy framed images from 32 photographers who have contributed their work in what will be a special event showcasing their amazing talent and generosity, the best of local photojournalism, in a beautiful exhibition space in Auckland’s CBD.”
Oxenham says works are being shown by eight Voyager Media Awards’ Photograph of the Year prize winners, “who have won a combined 17 POTY titles”.
“All those taking part were chosen because they’re friends willing to help in an hour of need.”
The framed images are for sale, Oxenham says, as permission has been given by the relevant news media outlets and agencies to do it, including Stuff, NZME, Getty Images and Photosport, all of whom he has worked for during his career.
As part of Light+Shade, Oxenham is also showing Postcards from China, a photo essay of 12 images he took during his time receiving medical treatment in Shanghai.
- Light+Shade exhibits from Friday, September 5, until Sunday, September 14. It’s open Monday to Friday, midday to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Entry is free. Framed and unframed prints are available. It’s displaying at Gallery 154, Level 2, 154 Queen Street, Auckland CBD. More details are available at www.oxenhamphoto.com.
