EXHIBITIONS
Everyone’s a Winner
“Everyone’s a Winner” is an awareness campaign tailored for moderate-risk gamblers struggling with addiction. The project presents a series of independent photographs, each one reconstructing stories and situations told by former or current problem gamblers living within New Zealand. These stories have been willingly given to showcase the real consequences that can entail through (high risk) Problem gambling addiction. By using imagery drawn from high-risk individuals, the photographs warn moderate-risk gamblers of potential perils on the road ahead. This forewarning is aimed to make moderate-risk individuals consciously reconsider or critically think about their current situation. From speaking with a handful of problem gamblers, a common occurrence was their regret of not seeking help sooner. The images seek to bring gamblers into the conversation, not push them away. Alongside people who have had first hand experience with the addiction, the series also draws guidance and analytical feedback from gambling awareness groups and addiction councillors, this helped create the most informed and ethically considered workflow possible. From interacting with these trained professionals, it became increasingly startling how many pressures outside of an individuals control can lead to gambling. These pressures include but are not limited to factors such as societal, hereditary, financial and mental reasons, however I believe the most outrageous was marketing. Many pro-gambling organisations like LOTTO or TAB produce expertly constructed marketing campaigns purely designed to make an individual believe they have a higher than average chance of winning. Even the standard Pokie machine has atleast 16 different design choices focused towards capturing and keeping a player. Due to these aggressive marketing strategies, the project was named “Everyone’s a Winner” with a proportionately minute sub-title title next to it stating “T&C’s Not Everyone’s a Winner”. This title aims to criticise the deceptive advertising of gambling organisations and highlight the nasty legal trickery they use to employ it. Through more conversations with problem gamblers, this photographic series will develop into an expansive collection of stories furthering the conversation towards gambling awareness.
May the stories shown in this series guide moderate-risk gamblers to read the signs of their addiction and seek help before life altering damage ensues. There are many gambling-harm support groups scattered throughout NZ that genuinely help Kiwis overcome this addiction. Some of these include; PGF, Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust, Raukura & many more.
Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655
The Professional Worker
The Professional Worker is an ongoing project which sheds light on the pay gap between employees within the New Zealand workforce.