Depaul Street Art Tells Stories of Homelessness

Popping up in the East End of London recently have been a series of impactful and powerful murals each one telling a real story of homelessness in the City.

The project led by Depaul Uk has seen them team up with Alternative London to arrange the murals and the resulting art has been been placed around the Brick Lane, Dalston and Shoreditch area. The murals form part of a wider campaign called “Don’t Let Their Stories end on the Streets” and tell the stories of young people who have become homeless or are at risk from becoming homesless.

Featuring work from Alternative Londons own Ben Slow and Josh Jeavons as well as David Shillinglaw, Best Ever and Jim McElvaney, the art forms a outside gallery which is in addition to a ‘digital wall’ at the website streetstories.org. Visitors to the website will hear the stories from young people themselves and are able to view time-lapse videos of the artists painting their portraits.

Joseph Howes, Executive Director of Fundraising & Development at Depaul UK, said: “At Depaul UK we work every day with young people whose stories could otherwise so easily have ended on the streets, so it is fitting that we are working with artists who can bring a street-eye view to bear directly on our work and the lives of the young people we serve. “

In addition to the work on the streets the artists have all also created a series of special limited edition screen prints which can be bought to support the charity and they can be bought directly from streetstories.org.

It’s a great project and really brings to mind some of the stories behind the people who all too often become invisible on the streets. The artists have brought them to life in a way that only art can and managed to bring the issue of homelessness to a whole new audience.

Street Stories Gallery

Best Ever tells Robs Story on Hanbury Street

I grew up all twisted, dad got frustrated, I ended up running away. Last winter I was so cold my hands and feet went white.

Ben Slow tells Joes Story on Cheshire Street

Dad died, they tried to put me in care that was never going to happen. I’ve slept everywhere. At night it’s a jungle

David Shillinglaw tells Shelly’s Story on Queen Margaret Street in Dalston

My Dad kicked my out, the thought of my son keeps me from self harming at least if I got locked up I’d be warm. A bed, a TV and food every day

Jim McElvaney tells Trish’s Story on Bacon Street

At the weekends I made myself scarce. Mates sofas and one time under the railway bridge. Sometimes I just sit on the Circle line, at least it’s warm

Josh Jeavons tells Katy’s Story on Rivington Street

It started when I was 13. He raped me regular. One day I’d had enough. Mum chose him

Unfortunately the Josh Jeavons work has now been painted over so I wasn’t able to get any pictures so a big thank you to Paul Nicholson and Paul Bidgway from ‘Meet The Street’ for the photos below.

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