Stories of homelessness told like never before
Published: by Richard Hudson
Join us at the Shoes Have Names exhibition.
Shelter has joined forces with conceptual fashion designer Jo Cope for the ‘Shoes Have Names’ art exhibition. As part of London Craft Week, the free exhibition will be held at our flagship Boutique by Shelter shop in Coal Drops Yard. The free exhibition opens this Wednesday 30 September until 7 October 2020.
The show features a collection of handmade shoes and artworks inspired by the personal experiences of real people facing homelessness. Ten international artists, shoemakers and designers were paired up with a person that Shelter has helped through its frontline services.
The inspiring stories told via the medium of shoes include mum Kimberley, who was heavily pregnant when she received a shock eviction notice. She then faced ’No DSS’ discrimination and struggled to find a landlord who accepted tenants who received housing benefits. Her shoe is a stunning red stiletto repurposed from an old sofa.
Another shoe tells the story of performer Missie, who without warning, lost her job, her mother and her home before she came to Shelter for help. Her story of hope has been told through a candle boot, which will be lit during the exhibition to represent hope after homelessness.
The artists worked with each Shelter client to understand their lives, their housing history and their hopes for the future. Every shoe represents the positive steps forward people can make and the strength of the human spirit in times of crisis.
The entire project is being documented on the inspirational step-by-step Shoes Have Names blog, and you can follow the Shoes Have Names on Instagram @shoeshavenames
Stunning photographs of the exhibits will be released onto the website when the exhibition opens. So if you can’t make it, please visit the site, and experience it virtually. See the Shoes Have Names blog
Read more about London Craft Week.
Covid-secure exhibition space
To maintain safety for everyone, numbers in the shop will be limited to 10, there is a hand santiser station when you enter, plus a one-way system around the exhibition and the shop will be cleaned every hour.
Shoes Have Names exhibition dates:
- 30 September 2020 – 3 October 2020, 10:00 – 17:00
- 4 October 2020, 12:00 – 17:00
- 5 October 2020 – 7 October 2020, 10:00 – 17:00
Address: Boutique by Shelter, Unit EV8 First Floor, Stable Street, N1C 4NB