A powerful art exhibition open at The Incubator Creative Hub is set to spark difficult conversations and inspire healing and change.

‘Nothing to See Here’, a solo exhibition by Tauranga artist Karlie Brunswick confronts the often-unseen legacy of childhood trauma through a deeply personal and visually arresting body of work.

The exhibition, which runs until June 7, presents a raw and unflinching look at the pain of abuse and the silence that too often surrounds it.

Using symbolic, doll-like imagery that blends innocence with unsettling undertones, Brunswick’s art reflects the way society frequently overlooks – or chooses not to see – the suffering of children.

Karlie Brunswick in her studio. Photo/Supplied.

Each piece tells a story of neglect, complicity, survival, and is a public reckoning with what too often remains hidden

Brunswick’s courage in sharing her story through art is not just healing for her – it’s a call to all of us to pay attention and act, said The Incubator director Simone Anderson.

“Karlie’s courage in sharing her story through art is not just healing for her – it’s a vital challenge to all of us. Trauma thrives in silence, and her work demands that we look, that we ask, and that we refuse to turn away when something isn’t right. Art has the power to break taboos, and Karlie’s voice is a testament to that.”

One of the artworks in Karlie Brunswick’s solo exhibition ‘Nothing to See Here’ which is showing at The People’s Gallery – Toi Ka Rere at the Tauranga Historic Village from May 17 to June 7, 2025. Photo/Supplied.

Brunswick, a self-taught artist with more than 20 years’ experience as a teacher and creative mentor, channels her own history into a searing indictment of systemic failure – a plea for vigilance.

Despite its emotional gravity, the exhibition is also a testament to artistic talent – Brunswick’s richly textured, symbol-laden works are as visually compelling as they are thematically bold.

One of the artworks in Karlie Brunswick’s solo exhibition ‘Nothing to See Here’ which is showing at The People’s Gallery – Toi Ka Rere at the Tauranga Historic Village from May 17 to June 7, 2025. Photo/Supplied.

Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support service is supporting ‘Nothing to See Here’ – and its social change and prevention manager Julie Phillips said real change begins when people truly see and believe survivors. “Karlie’s bravery in sharing her story through art is powerful and necessary,” she said. “This exhibition is a reminder that silence protects no one.”

‘Nothing to See Here’ is on display at The People’s Gallery – Toi Ka Rere at the Tauranga Historic Village from until June 7. Open daily from 10am-3pm, admission is free.