#HW2022 | Lived Experience Art Exhibition & Networking

Homelessness Week is a national week to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face, and the action needed to end homelessness not just manage it.

‘Walk A Day In My Shoes’

This exhibition which ran for the entirety of Homelessness Week was facilitated by by Artist in Residence Deborah Ralph-Kafarela and Professional Artists with Lived Experience.

Denise V Brown | Jeanette Garlett | Sean Corr

The art work will become a sculptural art installation made from multiple clay tiles. The tile designs are embossed shoe soles and foot prints. People were encouraged to use one of their shoes to press into the clay tile as they walk in or out of the The Platform. Conceptually the work has several layers of meaning associated with how we all cross paths and intercept each other’s paths. The shoes represent people, places, community, poverty, wealth, talking the talk and walking a day in another person’s shoes.

Walking away, walking toward, walking together.

Empathy is the centre of human rights activism. Empathy drives real change. ‘Walk A Day In My Shoes’ opened with a discussion on the need to listen to people with Lived Experience of Homelessness and act on the empathy that is evoked when listening.

What can I do to actively contribute to ending homelessness? What position have I been placed in to collaboratively create real change in people’s lives?

‘Walk A Day In My Shoes’ sculptural installation will also strengthen and support the Lived Experience Walking Tours as Josh walks people to the places he slept and the community centres he received help to become housed.

Networking Event

At the Networking Event held on Thursday, 4 August the Spirit of the Streets Choir performed to a large audience of sector representatives, official sponsors and Shelter WA staff. Chief Executive Officer at Shelter WA Michelle Mackenzie acknowledged the crucial support each sponsor contributes through their participation.

Each sponsor then spoke about their involvement.

Homelessness Week 2022 would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: Lotterywest, the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, Department of Communities, Fleetwood Australia, Uniting Church in the City and Beyond Bank.

Feedback

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