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Culture February 10, 2017
Photo by ROL, courtesy of Cafe Art My LondonSometimes, the most compelling art pieces are the ones that invite social change. In the case of Café Art, this has never been more true. Literal starving artists – the homeless – create paintings and take photographs to not only raise awareness of homelessness but to give these artists new life through art.
ENTITY recently got the chance to speak with Paul Ryan, the Director of Café Art in London, to learn more about the organization’s efforts in London and around the world.
Ryan believes that “Art is a therapy for many people, especially people who are in a stage in their lives where they need to express themselves.” Through painting and photography, Café Art is building a creative community to support those who have been affected by homelessness in their lives.
The mission of Café Art is to “connect people affected by homelessness with the wider community through their art.” Essentially, Café Art is an organization that takes the art of those who have been or are currently homeless and circulates the pieces in different cafes, pop-ups and art exhibitions.
“I met up with Michael Wong in August 2012 after he had begun framing and hanging art,” Ryan explains when asked how he got involved in Café Art. “My background was working with marginalized people in Vancouver, Canada, where I developed a photography project, exhibition and calendar. We decided to work together and in late 2013 we formally registered Café Art as a Community Interest Company. In the UK this means we are a business that has a social goal.”
Last year, Cafe Art handed out 100 disposable cameras to people who have been affected by homelessness. With the goal of empowering and building confidence, people affected by homelessness were sent out into London to fill up their film with snapshots of their lives. When 80 of the 100 cameras were returned, the 2,500 photos they bore were evident of each photographer’s unique London experience. A kickstarter raised enough money to put the best 13 photos into a calendar.
Thanks @cafeartuk for the lovely calendar featuring work of photographers affected by homelessness.
Going to look great on my wall! ?— Charlie Kirkpatrick (@C_J_Kirkpatrick) January 5, 2017
Great #art; great project! Can’t wait for the @cafeartuk calendar #homelessness https://t.co/SSIBm1FSZe
— Veronique Mistiaen (@VeroMistiaen) October 21, 2016
But the project’s goals were grander than just empowering those impacted by homelessness. “From the beginning they are gaining skills,” Paul says. “Even the effort to go to the camera handout in early July is a big step for some people who have lost all confidence. By having a camera for five days and having to take 26 photos in that time, they are challenged to plan their shots carefully. If they can talk to people about the project this give them experience in speaking to strangers. Later they are given help in choosing five photos for the exhibition, and with writing captions. The participants who want to sell the calendar in the market are given selling training.”
Cafe Art has spawned more than a few success stories of people who have been homeless and have gained the necessary confidence and skills through the program to find financial stability.
Ryan highlights the story of James: “[He] was homeless for months in London a few years ago before being housed in a hostel for homeless people,” Ryan explains. “After finding out that his art was selling well in our exhibitions and cafés, James was able to apply for social housing and is now paying his own rent and bills.”
Another success story is that of David Tovey, a veteran and former businessman, who fell on hard times after suffering from a stroke in 2011. During an interview by London Live, Tovey explained that his stroke led to a “domino effect of bad luck and bad health” which ultimately led to a suicide attempt. However, after acknowledging that “you can’t really go any lower than death,” he participated in the Cafe Art My London project. Of the experience, he said, “It’s amazing what a disposable camera can do for self-esteem.”
While the project originated in London, Cafe Art has since made several expansions around the world, with the MinhaSão Paulo and the My Sydney photography contests.
Ryan also tells us, “We have added several features, including exchanging art with homeless organizations in New York and Melbourne, Australia, in the annual ‘This Is Where I Live’ project and recently we have added a corporate rental scheme whereby the artists earn money from their paintings and photos hanging in offices.”
When asked if the project is expanding to the United States, Paul says, “We have already partnered with a New Orleans organization who ran the My New Orleans Photo Project last year. We have not yet had anyone set up the ‘art in cafes’ with us yet though.”
Visit Cafe Art’s website here to learn more and purchase your own 2017 calendar here.
