Today is World Homeless Day and at New Brewery Arts we believe that housing is a basic human right. Unfortunately it is not always treated as such. The problem with common misconceptions about what homelessness is and looks like, is that it generally places greater value on the economy than human life. Homelessness isn’t an economic problem. It is absolutely a social one.
There’s a stigma around homelessness, a belief that it is the result of – to put it nicely – poorly prioritized life choices. The fact is, homelessness can be the result of many different factors: a decline in health, an unexpected bill, a death in the family, eviction because a landlord wants to sell; in these instances, homelessness looks like staying in temporary accommodation, booking a B&B or hostel or sofa-surfing.
When COVID hit, there was a rise in homelessness. Lockdown measures to stop the spread of the virus, meant people didn’t have the option to sofa-surf with friends and family. Thankfully, a forward thinking, proactive solution quickly emerged: what if we open up the otherwise-closed hotels to people made homeless due to the pandemic?
Throughout lockdown, as part of the ‘Everybody In’ initiative, New Brewery Arts offered The Barrel Store to individuals and families negatively affected by the pandemic. By providing a temporary home, we could help alleviate some of the stress associated with becoming homeless. It was a creative solution – but temporary.
Creative thinking is something we need if we hope to motivate substantial, long-term social change. Shoes Have Names, our upcoming exhibition for early 2022, was inspired by this very concern - thinking creatively to change perceptions of homelessness. Housing and homelessness charity Shelter joined forces with conceptual fashion designer Jo Cope to create Shoes Have Names as part of London Craft Week in October 2020 at their wonderful flagship Shelter Boutique shop in Coal Drops Yard.
Elisabeth Thorsen - Missie’s story
Shoes Have Names
Shoes Have Names features a collection of handmade artworks inspired by the personal experiences of real people facing homelessness. Ten international artists, shoemakers and designers were paired up with a person that Shelter has helped through its frontline services. From shoes made out of an old sofa, to the use of the latest CAD software and 3D printing, you can explore the project journey at the Shoes Have Names blog.
Opening on 29th January 2022 (save the date!) Shoes Have Names is another way for New Brewery Arts to prompt a shift in attitudes and effect positive social change.
Alongside the exhibition we’ll be working with those who have experienced homelessness and those who work with public services and charities to support their communities. If you want to get involved either as an organisation or somebody working with homelessness, or as somebody who works with a local charity shop, we’d love you to get in touch with our participation team to discuss how you can be involved with Shoes Have Names.
Stories of homelessness have never been told like this before.