Behind the Smile

a visual and audio exhibition

Behind the Smile - a striking photo and audio series created in collaboration with renowned director and photographer Tom Gould.

Behind the Smile spotlights 11 everyday kiwis who have navigated arduous mental health challenges throughout their lives. This audiovisual exhibition showcases the diversity of the human experience, and explores the depth of what goes on behind a smile. It is a call to people's empathy, and a space for viewers to find hope and strength in the challenges people have overcome. We are immensely proud of this campaign and the conversations we had that need to be heard.


Thanks to our wonderful sponsors we have been able to bring Behind the Smile to the following locations.

  • Allpress Studio, Auckland
  • Westfield Newmarket, Auckland
  • The Incubator, Historic Village, Tauranga
  • Te Auaha Gallery, Te Aro, Wellington

Watch this space with more locations to come in 2025.

Exhibition feedback

    • Having 10 individuals tell me that I matter, that what I feel matters, that my thoughts are valid, that in itself is so impactful and was greatly needed. But also seeing that other people go through really hard times really amplifies the fact
    • Loved it! Empathy is everything.
    • Everyone’s journey can be different and acknowledging the fact that your lived experience can become a voice of hope.
    • Hearing people's stories gives me hope for my future and my journey of self discovery.
    • It helped hugely hearing other people’s stories when struggling with my own mental health and hearing there is hope and there is a chance of coming out the other side. Having people remind me of hope and that I matter and my life matters.
    • It has given me hope and courage that anything is possible. It is one foot in front of the other.
    • It was so touching to see and hear people's journey. Very powerful experience.
    • It is beautiful, I’m sure it will reach people and continue to instill hope in the community.
    • Honestly it feels like my heart has been cracked open. I am so inspired by the honesty and the beauty of healing and hope.
    • Behind The Smile has impacted me to keep fighting for my future self. So that one day I can be telling my story to someone who feels the same way I do and it can also help them find hope.

The Black & White Box • Tom Gould • Allpress • Someday Studios • Hollywood Props • Alba • Giant Rentals • Kingsize Studios • Copra Recordings • Catch Casting • Sunshine Brewery • Dayna Grant Stunts • Greg Jonkers • Almighty • Pukemiro Station • Antiques 1071 Napier • Straton Heron • Matthew Walker • Floridays • Iain Cheesman • Annelise Yarrell • Jack Jensen • Chenery Memorial Trust • IT Heavy Hitters • Nesuto Stadium • oO!hmedia • National Mini Storage • Scott Davis • Blink Ltd • Bex Petrie (CASA) • COGS • Quack Pirihi • Semi Cho • Vira Paky • Vikram Selvaraj • Lissy & Rudi Robinson-Cole • Peleti Oli • Quinn Steed • Rachel Taane • Kia Kanuta • Henrique Beirao • Voices of Hope • AMP • Crown Workspace