Outdoor gallery Artwork on show to raise awareness of homelessness
GRAFFITI-COVERED, urinated-on, dirty and weathered doors are on display inside and outside City Hall – and it is all part of a bid to raise awareness of homelessness in the UK.
The ‘ A Year Outdoors’ project started in January 2017 and saw 10 exterior doors left across the streets of Bristol.
Now, a little less than a year later, the artist behind the project, Beau, is exhibiting the doors across the the UK and US – and this month the doors are at City Hall.
Beau created the project as a metaphor to challenge the austerity cuts which have left many people destitute and homeless.
He explained doors represent the gateway to a home, a place to live – something which many people do not have access to.
Beau wants the project to challenge people’s preconceptions, and said: “Cuts to housing, mental health and social services are driving more and more people into critical homeless situations, which is more than rough sleeping.”
For Beau homelessness is complicated. He said: “The hidden homeless community is often out of sight – sofa-surfing, crashing with friends, staying in squats or communal homes, hostels and long-term B&B residences, often experienced for years.”
The doors had been on display in Trafalgar Square in London but have now come back to Bristol and will be on show at City Hall until December 21.
Some of the doors are in the lobby, but the majority are outside on the slopes of the building. They will later go on a tour across other parts of the UK and USA.
Next year the doors will be auctioned off and all of the proceeds will go towards eight charities across the country.
One of those charities is Bristol’s Empire Fighting Chance, which uses sport to support disadvantaged young people.
Co-founder of the charity Jamie Sanigar, said he feels honoured and proud to be a recipient.
He added: “It’s an innovative project. Street art is synonymous with the inner city where we operate.
“It’s a nice collaboration between art and sport.
“We also work at the margins, with young people that are feeling the impact of austerity, and under- stand the notion that everyone needs a door, in more ways than one.”
Beau’s work has got the attention of the great and good, and is being supported by the likes of film director Ken Loach, actor Stephen Fry, illustrator Ralph Steadman, writer George Monbiot and musician and producer Geoff Barrow.
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees says he believes art is a great way of reaching people, and talking about issues in a different way.
He stated: “Bristol is a creative city and we welcome artists who can spark debates and hopefully encourage people to focus on how we can work together, to reduce homelessness.”