Cardiff, UK – 23rd October 2025 – 80,000 Voices is proud to announce a landmark exhibition of lenticular portraits of hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hosted at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre from October 24th to November 30th, 2025. This moving exhibition, first shown at the United Nations in New York in 2023 and Tokyo last year, titled “Portraits of the Hibakusha – 80 Years Remembered,” marks the 80th anniversary of the bombings and coincides with the UN’s Disarmament Week (October 24th – 30th).
The exhibition will feature fourteen powerful three-dimensional portraits, each paired with a heartfelt message of peace from the survivor, translated into English, Welsh, and Japanese.
Featured individuals are members of Nihon Hidankyo, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation that advocates for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
“This exhibition is a testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit and a powerful call for peace,” says Gina Langton, Creative Director and CEO of 80,000 Voices. “Each portrait tells a unique story, a narrative of survival and hope that transcends time and borders, allowing the hibakusha to leave a lasting human record of national and global significance that can be exhibited for future generations.”
The “Portraits of the Hibakusha – 80 Years Remembered” exhibition aims to promote international educational engagement on nuclear disarmament, particularly as the number of Japanese hibakusha dwindles and their messages risk being lost. The need for the hibakusha’s messages to be heard is increasingly pertinent in today’s political climate, as the global commitment to peace is put under growing pressure and the grip on nuclear warfare tightens.
Accompanying the exhibition will be a program of talks, workshops, and educational outreach throughout the five weeks, with participation from peace groups and volunteers.
The Norwegian Church Arts Centre will also provide volunteers and leverage its social media contacts and partnerships with schools and universities for publicity.
Exhibition Highlights:
- Context: This exhibition is timely due to the ongoing Wales & Japan cultural exchange and Nihon Hidankyo’s recent recognition with the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
It further showcases the Japanese organisation’s incredible work and honours their prestigious award, marking the first time it has been publicly displayed in the UK. The complete collection of 52 portraits has recently been shown in Nagasaki to great acclaim, with 10,000 visitors in 5 days who have left moving reviews. It will also be touring Fukuoka and Hiroshima simultaneously with the Cardiff exhibition. - Striking Images: The exhibition features holographic photographs produced by 80,000 Voices creative director Gina Langton and photographed by renowned artist photographer Patrick Boyd, using specialised equipment and technology to create 3D lenticular images.
Quotes
- Hibakusha’s Message: Sadae Kasaoka, photographed in Hiroshima, states:
“When I was 12 years old, I lost both my parents in front of my eyes. was completely lost. I want you to know about the world’s first atomic bombing, the turning of Hiroshima into a burnt plain, the realities of life for the hibakusha and the aftereffects of radiation”
Visitor Review (Tokyo): “This exhibit astounded me. As someone who spent almost five years in Japan in the 1980s, I was very familiar with the hibakusha and the impact of the nuclear war on the country. The beautiful presentation of the hibakusha and their words was a collective wake-up call to remind us of the horrors of war and the devastating power of nuclear weapons. This show needs to be seen by as many people as possible around the world.” – Visitor from Berlin, Germany.
Expert Insight: Dr Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director of Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy (AIDD) and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), encourages attendees to reflect on “your impression of the hibakusha and their heartfelt messages, and a summary of the TPNW and how the UK government needs to get on board!”
Key Information:
- Open to the Public: Friday October 24th (United Nations Day and 80th Anniversary) to Sunday November 30th, 2025.
- Launch Reception and Partners’ Viewing: Thursday, October 23rd, 2025. Opening messages will be delivered by
- second-generation hibakusha Kyoko Gibson,
- Keith Dunn OBE, Honorary Consul to Japan,
- Dr Rebecca Johnson, ICANN Campaign for Nuclear Weapons Treaty
- Richard Outram, Secretary of Mayors for Peace UK & NI
- Hayley Morgan, Chief Executive of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, speaking on behalf of Dr Bethan Sian Jones from Academi Heddwch Cymru.
For more information, please visit www.80000voices.org