The homeless portraits project: Art as a tool for social healing and transformation

Abstract

Homelessness is a growing social issue in many countries. People often view such a problem as abstract, resulting in ignorance of the matter. It is a complex problem, requiring public acknowledgement and empathy to foster understanding and support for effective solutions. Art is a medium that can be used to raise awareness regarding this issue. The project employed a practice-based methodology, using Socially Engaged Art (SEA) and Participatory Action Research (PAR) frameworks. The study follows an artist whose personal experience of witnessing a homeless person endure brutal physical abuse inspired the project. Utilizing the PAR framework, the artist painted pictures of homeless people in public places in San Francisco and New York and gave them to those who modeled for him. The project serves not only as a way to use art activities for social engagement but also to affirm human values in the subjects. Initially, the canvases for the works were acquired from nearby materials, such as cardboard boxes, pizza boxes, and even receipt papers. As the project expanded over time, the canvas materials were changed to better-quality papers and art paper rolls. The activity became a participatory social-art project when he used a social media platform to invite anyone to join. Over the course of six years, he produced numerous artworks and gained public awareness. As a result, an art museum recognized the project’s social value and engagement, hosting a unique art exhibition that displayed the portraits of homeless individuals and included the homeless models as part of the audience. The project also caused a few positive changes; in some instances, homeless people received job offers from audience members who saw potential in them. The project showed that art activities can be a means to tackle social issues and even redeem human dignity.