Art to show stark reality

The shop windows of a homeless charity will display hard-hitting art this year to mark its 50th anniversary.

Shelter Scotland’s Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire charity shop windows will showcase work from young designers at Glasgow’s School of Art.

The two designers, Claire McNally and Andrew Johnston, created posters that take the shape of a noticeboard which displays household bills, receipts and arrears letters and is aimed at showing the stark reality of many people struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

Miss McNally, 28, said: “Our design is intended to overwhelm the viewer

“We’re not celebrating – we shouldn’t even exist”

by layering a variety of real financial expenses as a way to represent a common reality that many face and how this struggle can contribute to homelessness.

“This approach is complemented by simple copy that directly addresses the passing public, asking them are they ‘Heading Home?’ and then delivering the stark fact that ‘3,426 families in Scotland are not’”.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “This is our 50th year – but we’re not celebrating – we shouldn’t even exist. We’re still fighting until there’s a home for everyone in Scotland.

“This design in the shape of a noticeboard depicts all too clearly the struggles faced by many families and individuals in Scotland to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads. It is a thoughtprovoking representation of people’s daily struggle to avoid homelessness and I congratulate the young designers on their concept and realisation.

“I encourage local people to visit the shops and take in the messages this excellent work conveys.”