Tuesday 31 March 2015

Video Blog Update from the Homes for Britain Rally

My second Video Blog is set in the context of The Homes for Britain Rally.  

The artist Mark Latimer who is very kindly shooting/creating the films for me went along to the rally and chatted to a few people to find out what they think about what's happening.

A few years ago when I started making paintings about the Housing Crisis, the term 'Housing Crisis' wasn't even being used.  People were talking about high rents and the impact it was having on their lives in London, but there didn't seem to be organised groups making a stand for change.  

But there are now so many people campaigning at a grassroots level for better housing, and it's brilliant.  Doing things collectively is GOOD.  For example the families of the New Era Estate, and the Focus E15 mums

Diffierent to these grassroots protests, The Homes for Britain campaign is big and organised, it: "Brings together all those who believe everyone has a right to a decent affordable home to call their own."

So my second video blog is set within this context and looks at how Homes for Britain are campaigning for affordable homes. 

As this blog develops I would like to talk to lots of different people from all sorts of groups, anyone who is affected by and concerned about the Housing Crisis.  I used to feel quite isolated making paintings about it in my studio, and I wasn't sure if that was really doing anything!  But now, the more I find out, the more I discover that there are so many people campaigning for change in their own ways, and it's great to finally feel part of something, a movement who's voice is getting stronger and stronger.

 

Monday 23 March 2015

I need your Stories!

Do you have a story regarding an issue to do with the private rental market in London?



If you have read my blog before, you will know that I am currently working on a series of paintings that explore the issues surrounding the current housing crisis in London.  The series is a visual and artistic campaign for affordable homes in London, and for change.  

London house prices and the current housing situation is a subject regularly discussed, and as my painting project has developed I've started to incorporate people’s stories into the artwork. The genuine experiences and anecdotes that I’ve heard in casual conversation are fascinating and sometimes shocking.  It feels important to start representing these stories in the art work to show that the Housing Crisis is something we are experiencing collectively, and to give these very real situations a voice.


If you have a story to share I would love to hear it! if I use your story in one of my artworks it can be represented anonymously.  

Has your landlord raised your rent?


Do you feel that your home is worth the rent you pay?
Do you struggle to afford your rent?

I'm looking for anecdotes and quotes which describe how people are affected by what is happening with housing in London at the moment. 

You can email your story to: tinseledwards@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you so much in advance!

Tinsel Edwards x






Monday 16 March 2015

My first Video Blog



I am pleased to share with you, my very first video blog!


Artist and film maker Mark Latimer very kindly offered to help me to create a video diary, and this is our first collaboration.

I will be uploading video blog snippets on a regular basis, I wanted to create the blog as a way of sharing my ideas and working processes, and to document the Housing Crisis project as it develops over the course of this year.

Feedback welcome!  I hope you enjoy: