Brain injury survivor opens gallery and backs artists

After a life-changing brain injury forced her to walk away from the career she'd built, Rachel Hemingway spent years rebuilding her life. Rather than giving up on her lifelong passion for creativity, she opened Chapter1 Gallery in Christchurch earlier this year-a space designed to support artists and bring the community together. Now she's behind Suitcase Stories, a unique exhibition featuring 50 Canterbury artists transforming vintage suitcases into one-of-a-kind artworks. Hemingway spoke to John Campbell.