New Delhi: Sally Mann, a renowned American photographer known for her black-and-white works, once said that " photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future." That is what the recently concluded exhibition of photographs of acid attack survivors displayed at The Stainless Gallery in Delhi aimed to depict. The pain that these victims went through and the resilience that they embody define their future lives.

Aaina Tak Ka Safar (the Journey to the Mirror) went beyond simply displaying the faces of the women. The photographs showed their determination to triumph over the suffering and pain. The photographs prominently displayed their scars , serving as a testament to the immense suffering they have endured.

"The scars can be seen in the photographs clearly, which show how much pain they have gone through," said 22-year-old photographer Nanki Singh, fresh out of the School of Visual Arts in New York with a BFA in Photography and Video. She featured eight powerful photographs depicting the lives of six acid attack survivors. “The images showcase their transformative journey," she said.

The photographs captured the emotional and physical challenges the women faced, particularly the difficulty when looking into the mirror, she added. "Despite undergoing numerous surgeries, ranging from 10 to 20 operations, their faces and skin bear indelible marks of the ordeal. The exhibition aims to highlight their resilience and courage in embracing their alter.