News / Society
Glass figure highlights ‘invisible’ homeless
A glass figure appeared on pavements around Bristol in a bid to highlight the plight of the growing number of homeless in the city.
The temporary installation which appeared and disappeared in streets close to the city centre was the result of a collaboration between charity 1625 Independent People and Southville artist Luke Jerram.
The glass figure, part of the Early Doors campaign, was placed within view to highlight the rising number of often “invisible” homeless people who are living on the streets or in temporary, unsafe, insecure housing.
“For every person you see sleeping on the streets, there are many others sleeping in hostels, squats and other forms of unsatisfactory and insecure accommodation,” Jerram said.
The life-size glass sleeping figure was made by Jerram, the artist behind the Park Street waterslide, as part of an Arts Council-funded residency at the Glass Hub.
The Early Doors campaign aims to raise funds to help early intervention with young people at risk of homelessness through mediation and advice services.
Dom Wood, CEO of 1625 Independent People, said: “The fragile glass sculpture tells a story of vulnerable lives and hidden situations.”
He added: “Last year, the work of just one and half staff successfully stopped 74 young people from ending up on the streets of Bristol by getting to them early doors. We urgently need people to pledge to keep this work growing.”
The number of rough sleepers in Bristol has trebled in the last three years. For more information on how to donate to the Early Doors campaign, visit: www.1625ip.co.uk/earlydoors
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