The project has been coordinated by Yo Tozer-Loft, who runs community choirs in Sheffield, with support from Church Action on Poverty. In this video Stephen and Yo talk more about the project and their stories.
DREAMS AND REALITIES
Let's End Poverty have partnered with Stephen Martin, an artist living in Sheffield, to take his powerful Dreams and Realities portrait exhibition across the UK alongside a series of community-led art events.
The paintings and their story
Stephen Martin, a local artist, has painted acrylic portraits of nine people living in poverty in Sheffield, including himself.
Each picture shows the person, something that depicts their economic reality, and something that represents the dreams and ambitions they would pursue if they were not held back by poverty and unjust systems.
The story so far:
SHEFFIELD
The tour began with a fantastic launch event at St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield featuring music from local Sheffield community choirs.
The exhibition then remained in Sheffield until April 28th, receiving a write-up in The Star newspaper.
NEWCASTLE
Next, the exhibition is moving to Newcastle where it will be displayed on the second floor of Newcastle City Library from May 2nd to May 16th.
On May 11th the paintings will be put on display at Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle for an event featuring performances from Phoenix Community Choir and Pedalers Band as well as a panel conversation between people living and working on the frontline of poverty.