Minister Ritchie says homeless people must not be invisible

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today opened an exhibition of photographs taken by homeless people in collaboration with the artist Anthony Luvera.

Speaking at the opening in the Belfast Exposed gallery, Donegall Street, Belfast the Minister said: “Homeless people are at risk of becoming excluded from society. It is important that homeless people do not become the invisible people of our society and the images in this exhibition remind us of their humanity and individuality. I am determined to ensure that homeless people are not marginalised. Last year I launched a strategy to promote the social inclusion of homeless people. The strategy will help to ensure that homeless people can access the services they are entitled to and a play a full part in the life of the community.”

Pauline Hadaway, Director of Belfast Exposed said: “Initiated 25 years ago as a means of articulating the life of the city from local perspectives, Belfast Exposed Photography has a long history of facilitating photography workshops with different groups of people and of working with artists engaged in social commentary. Through its commitment to establishing trust and building meaningful relationships over time, Anthony Luvera’s Residency, made over a 16 month period by the artist and people who have experienced homelessness living in Belfast, powerfully expresses our continuing attachment to community and place.”

The Minister thanked the Simon Community and the Welcome Organisation for their assistance in producing the exhibition.

Notes to Editors:

1. Residency: Self Assisted Portraits, Belfast is the product of a collaboration between the artist Anthony Luvera and homeless people in Belfast. Participants were encouraged to make portraits of themselves in places that are special or important to them. The exhibition has been developed in partnership with the Simon Community and the Welcome Organisation, two of the main voluntary sector bodies dealing with homelessness in Northern Ireland.
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