Seen to be Heard - Giving a platform to women with Secondary Breast Cancer

Deirdre Robb, CEO Belfast Exposed

Earlier this year, I got an unusual phone call that went something like this:

‘Can Belfast Exposed help us to present an exhibition about Secondary Breast Cancer? But it has to happened really quickly’.

To be honest, I didn’t even know what Secondary Breast Cancer was and, although we had just refurbished our Studio Gallery, the programme for the whole year ahead had been agreed. So, I wasn't sure what we could do to help.

Nonetheless, I met with the photographer and some of the women involved. After five minutes I had said a resounding ‘YES’. Without a doubt we will exhibit and support your project, and we will do whatever was needed to make it a success.

As it turns out the exhibit, ‘Seen to be Heard’, has been one of the most powerful and important shows Belfast Exposed has ever presented. The project is led by photographer Jennifer Willis, whose raw talent is captivating; empathy is oozing from every artwork and the whole work is driven by a passion for justice that makes you want to stand-up and be counted. Jennifer’s gaining of trust of the participants is key to understanding the work. She got to know every woman’s story before even lifting the camera, ensuring authenticity and honesty.?

We all know stats galore about Breast Cancer, but what is far less widely known is the existence of Secondary Breast Cancer - that is, when Breast Cancer returns and spreads – and that it is incurable. Initially, Jennifer’s friend Cheryl had been diagnosed with it and wanted her remaining cancer journey photographed. As conversations between the two friends evolved, stories of injustice and inequalities unfolded. Jennifer realised that through photography, she could create a platform and give voice to Cheryl and other women in Northern Ireland who have similar experiences. These women are not frustrated because they have incurable cancer, that is a fact and they accept it. For them, it is the inequalities in their treatment compared with women in the rest of the UK that has created frustration and exasperation.

As a result, Jennifer and the women who took part in Seen to be Heard, are calling for greater representation for those with Secondary Breast Cancer in Northern Ireland’s Cancer strategy. This includes a clinical audit; access to clinical trials as well as to drugs and treatments available in other regions of the UK; specialist nurse care in all parts of Northern Ireland and most importantly, access to quality, timely equitable and person-centred care.

The women involved are united in their passion to educate people on the need for Secondary Cancer Care Services to be changed. In Seen to be Heard, they do so visually in a series of revealing photographic portraits and a deeply moving testimonial film. These women are altruistic, having generously committed and given up precious time to share their individual stories into a commanding narrative that is impossible for the viewer to ignore. They know this work will never be of benefit to them, but they have committed to educate, advocate and gain rights for women’s Secondary Breast Care and equality for future generations. They are to be applauded, thanked and listened to.

This is both a human rights issue and an advocacy exhibition like no other. Art and, in this case, photography is an enduring method of creating a voice for change and, as history repeatedly shows us, it helps to arouse emotions in an audience. It has a connectedness with people that leads to a deeper way of seeing, compared to simply assessing a situation strictly based on cold facts.

Photography used as activism can both inform and persuade;?unite and effect change. The narrative of Seen to be Heard is that change is needed and it is needed now. This exhibition looks to inform, influence and move both hearts and minds in support of this change.

Every art gallery in Northern Ireland needs to diversify and increase audiences and this exhibition has certainly done that for Belfast Exposed. Throughout the exhibition, we have experienced a huge increase in visitors and for many it was their first-time attending an exhibition. Our joy is that they have experienced something so compelling they will never forget and hopefully will encourage visitors to come back to the gallery in the future.?

Due to its importance and the exceptional demand, we have extended Seen to be Heard by a week and encourage all of those who have not experienced it to visit.

The exhibition will now close on Saturday 28th May at 1pm. Please, please visit us at 23 Donegall Street, Belfast www.belfastexposed.org/exhibitions/seen-to-be-heard/