Artist: Sarah Brebner

The Whakatāne Community Board Gallery this month features a photography exhibition by Sarah Brebner, poignantly named 'Eleven.' Showcasing eleven years of Brebner’s self-taught journey to master the art of photography, it will also document eleven years of her young children’s lives.

In black and white, Brebner captures the raw emotions of childhood along with the rich life experiences of a family living in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

“The beauty of whānau is not in perfection", says Brebner. “It's in being together, teaching and learning. It's in growth and it is challenging. It's understanding that the little things we do have a huge, life-long impact on our children.

The time we share with our children is sacred and fleeting. It's hugely rewarding and this work is my attempt to document it all.”