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Exhibition ‘Life’s No Picnic on the Streets’ opens at Filmbase 2nd March
A visual arts exhibition created by homeless people will be launched on Monday, March 2nd at 6pm by Professor Nigel Rolfe, in Filmbase, Temple Bar. The exhibition, which is based on the theme ‘Life’s No Picnic on the Streets’ is a collaboration between three visual artists and Depaul Ireland residents. It is the first project of this nature to take place at Depaul and the work produced is testament to the talent among the homeless population. The exhibition was previously displayed at Electric Picnic 2008.
Residents at three city centre Depaul Ireland projects have participated in weekly workshops with professional artists Sinead Curran, Paraic McQuaid and Darragh O’ Callaghan. The workshops encouraged the residents involved to explore their own experiences of homelessness and life on the streets.
Using film, photography, clay, wire, painting and sculpture the participants shaped their own reflections into pieces representative of their past experiences. The ensuing creations reflect such issues of identity, isolation, loneliness, loss, addiction, exclusion and self worth.
Depaul Ireland CEO Kerry Anthony has said:
“We have often used art as a therapeutic activity in our services but the opportunity to work towards a public exhibition has added a new layer of importance to this and service users are delighted. This exhibition speaks volumes not only about the talent and potential, but also goes to break down some of the negative stereotypes held about homeless people.”
The workshops provided the service users with a supportive setting where they received the freedom to create work based on issues relevant to them. It is with great commitment, determination and dedication that the exhibition is brought to the public.
Therefore, ‘Life’s No Picnic on the Streets’ is not just an exhibition but a very personal portrayal of past and present issues arising in a homeless person’s life in Dublin today.
