Homelessness: Reframed at Saatchi Gallery review

The Saatchi Gallery opened a free exhibition this week highlighting Homelessness. The entirety of Homelessness: Reframed is shown in one large room at the back of the ground floor gallery. It seems a small space to tackle this complex issue, but it certainly leads us in the right direction. There is also a certain irony to exhibiting on this topic in one of London’s most salubrious shopping neighbourhoods.  

Pack Away Desire and Other Precious Things, Simone Brewster.

The exhibition is presented in collaboration with Prince William’s Homewards programme and the Eleven Eleven Foundation bringing to life the breadth and complexities of homelessness across the country and gives people an opportunity to engage with, and better understand, the stories of those with experience of homelessness. All aspects of the exhibition have been guided by those with lived, living or life experience of homelessness.

The issue of homelessness is vast, and we are frequently exposed to homeless Londoners. Without doubt we all respond differently, be it buying extra groceries or food during our weekly shops, volunteering, or observing and wondering what each person’s plight may be or barely noticing and striding on by.

Having lived a few years in San Francisco where homelessness is prevalent, I realised I had become somewhat immune to caring as it was omnipresent. Only when I returned for a holiday one year did I realise just how bad the situation is there. I then delved into the issue researching what attempts had been made by the state of California to support homelessness. It was quite the rabbit hole to go down and seemed to be a problem no one could fix but not for lack of trying. It made me truly appreciate how complex homelessness is.

Sasha, Sam D'Cruze.

One of the exhibition’s most effective pieces was Invisible Words, a collection of cardboard signs, curated to encourage empathy and understanding. One from as far away as Sydney shows no country is immune to this issue. The variety of what is written on these self-made placards will make you think twice.  There are those finding dignity in trying to earn money - “Jokes $1, $2 if you laugh.”   “Poems $5”, “Have 6 Y.O son, rent and bills. Will work if offered, any job. Any help needed and appreciated. Thank you!”, “Happy new year. I’m a qualified bricklayer down on my luck atm. Any kind of help to get back on top would be much appreciated. Thank you.” And those asking for compassion “This is awkward for me too.”, “Kindness. Make our world a better place. God Bless.” “Please help. Homeless, alone, ashamed. Seeking a random act of kindness. Thank you. God bless.”

A cardboard sign from, Invisible Words. One of the exhibition’s most effective pieces. Photo by Natascha Milsom.

Part two of the exhibition is REFRAMED where both recognised and emerging artists reflect their own or others experience of homelessness. The artists have written their own personal descriptions to accompany their work as visitors will come to realise every journey into and out of homelessness is unique. Award winning documentary photographer Davenant’s The Outsiders Project documents homelessness across Britain in partnership with Shelter. He amplifies his subject’s experiences many of whom were helped by Shelter who offer advice, support, and legal services.

Home 2013, David Tovey.

David Tovey’s Home 2013, 2024 sculpture is a striking work made from a Peugeot 206 and scrap metal and painted red. This sculpture symbolises the tension between how David felt during one of the most trying times of his life, the love for a car that became his home and kept him alive, alongside the anger and sadness towards his situation, and how he was one of the lucky ones. The sculpture stands tall and proud in the the room and is in some ways cathedral-like in comparison to the cramped car it once was. But he asks, “what is a home?” is a roof over your head enough? Tovey is now an international award-winning social justice artist, educator and activist and is also co-director or Arts & Homelessness International and in 2024 was a finalist for the Orwell Prize.

OPEN DOORS displays the collaborative project of Saatchi Gallery Learning and Homewards and artists and children across 6 different Homewards wards.

Part Three: OPEN DOORS displays the collaborative project of Saatchi Gallery Learning and Homewards and artists and children across 6 different Homewards wards. Through headphones, visitors can listen to the personal stories of the artists with lived experiences of homelessness which inspired the artwork on the doors using different forms of art, such as collage, painting, drawing, and graffiti hoping to illustrate that there is hope if we work together.

The exhibition challenges viewers to think deeply and see things from new perspectives. To conclude, we leave you with one last quote from the exhibition:

 “The smallest thing means the world to someone who has nothing. Please help if you can. Thank you. God Bless”.

Date: 7 August - 20 September 2024. Location: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY. Price: Free. saatchigallery.com.

Words by Natascha Milsom