What Makes Us Care - A stunning exhibition

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

On my way to London today, I find no fewer than three people sleeping rough outside Central Milton Keynes train station.  This is becoming a worrying problem and the statistics don’t lie when it comes to seeing people living in almost unthinkable conditions.

Thames Reach record regular facts and figures on the homelessness and the figures are truly shocking.  6,437 people in the UK were seen sleeping rough between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.  That is an increase of almost 1,000 on the 2011/12 year, and a 43 per cent increase on 2010/11 numbers.  In the autumn of 2012, the estimated total of rough sleeping counts estimated at 2,309 people.  Autumn and winter are the most fraught parts of the year for these kinds of people, as they are totally exposed to the winter elements and are very likely to pick up nasty colds and more pressing issues such as pneumonia. 

The most common reasons for becoming homeless involve an issue of domestic violence, the breakdown of a relationship with a partner or family no longer willing to accommodate a person due to private issues such as rent payments or even a criminal conviction. 

I was appalled when reading this, but what can be done about it?  Awareness of this issue needs to be highlighted more, particularly as we are now approaching the time where temperatures drop and the nights draw rapidly in.  One individual has decided to put a unique twist on this, and the results are simply spectacular.

'What Makes Us Care is worth visiting'

‘What Makes Us Care’ is a free exhibition at St. Martin in the Fields in London near Charing Cross tube station.  The exhibition has been put together by Kathryn Prescott and the photography is simply breathtaking and stunning to witness.  I went to the viewings on Saturday, and I really felt a connection with the expression portrayed in the photos.  It might be a small collection, but it is magnificent.  Every one of the pictures on display really do tell a story.

Prescott is known for her TV work as a talented actress in the former E4 teen drama Skins, which came to an end at the start of August after seven successful years on the box.  She has managed to get stars from Skins, along with cast members from popular shows such as Glee, Waterloo Road and Shameless to be photographed in a vulnerable state.  

Her idea of putting recognised faces in dark and uncompromising scenarios is an inspired idea.  You never know what might happen – it could be one of us next.  There is a huge block of the UK population who have a settled job, are financially secure and committed in a happy and loving relationship.  However it only takes one of these aspects to disappear, and a life on the streets might not be far away.  By putting familiar faces from TV in this gallery, Kat has managed to tell a strong and powerful story and it makes ‘What Makes Us Care’ a standout exhibit.

Shot mainly around London but also in Los Angeles in the United States, the likes of Georgia Henshaw, Elliot Tittensor, Kaya Scodelario, Ollie Barbieri and Craig Roberts have been photographed for this unique show.  Kat’s partner in the on-screen ‘Naomily’ story in Skins, Lily Loveless is another who has gone under the microscope.

Graphically astute and detailed to the absolute precise detail you could imagine, it is worth going even for just an hour after work or on a free weekend.  I’m not a massive fan of art but I know when I see a stunning photograph, scenic beauty or portrayal of someone.

The pictures range from Henshaw with a graffiti background looking emotionally drained, Chuck Hittenger looking up towards the sky, but laying down in fairly uncomfortable surroundings and Megan Prescott, Kat’s sister looking lost, lonely and heartbroken on a dull London day with her arms resting against her cute but disconsolate face.

Kathryn Prescott has produced some great work

Kathryn Prescott is still only 22 years old and is remarkably multi-talented.  Her portrayal of the popular lesbian teen character Emily Fitch in series three and four of Skins, along with a brief cameo in the most recent final series won her many fans and plenty of critical acclaim.  The love story of Emily and Naomi (played by Loveless) in the show opened a door previously closed in British drama of female relationships and dealing with their sexuality.  It was a cracking portrayal of a same-sex relationship and it was about two characters falling in love rather than just a chance or drunk encounter that other shows in the past decided to focus on when putting two female characters together. 

Since Skins, Prescott has appeared in Sky One drama Bedlam, Being Human and long-running BBC medical drama Casualty.  All of these roles were packed with drama, passion and intrigue.  Not only can she act, but she has shown that she is a very skilled photographer.  It shows that young people who are often stereotyped in this country as loud, snobbish and utter failures can do some great things.  She is a shining example for those who want to make something of themselves and do something tremendous in their spare time. 

The exhibition is set in a historic location

‘What Makes Us Care’ remains open until the middle of October and A3 prints of all 20 photos taken are available to be bought online, signed by Kat herself.  All proceeds from the prints will go to The Big Issue and Centrepoint youth charities with the aim to not only help two causes, but to highlight the issues of living on the streets, sleeping rough and struggling to eat a decent meal.  This shouldn’t happen and as already highlighted, numbers are also on the increase.  By doing this the message is now out there to severely reduce these crippling figures and I hope Prescott’s hard work, along with make-up artists Summm Agnew and Krystle Gohel and the printers at Metro Imaging is rewarded with a fantastic total for two worthy charities.

I will be buying an A3 print of one of the photos to show my support and I would recommend this exhibition to anyone who is a fan of photography, the actress or Skins to come down to London and see ‘What Makes Us Care.’  The photography is masterful, the setting where it is situated is very historic and it has opened my eyes to people who don’t have the lucky breaks the majority of us have.  Many of us have access to luxuries such as 3D TV’s, clever smartphones and flashy sportscars.  Others who live rough have to battle illness, and struggle to get a decent roast dinner.  ‘What Makes Us Care’ is a real highlight and it is all for some great causes.

‘What Makes Us Care’ is open until 13 October 2013 and is free to visit. 

For more information on the exhibition and to buy a print, visit www.bigissue.org.uk/whatmakesuscare  A3 prints are £30 individually or £120 for five and all proceeds are split between the two charities, The Big Issue and Centrepoint.

To make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/whatmakesuscare

Categories: Exhibition, Georgia Henshaw, Homeless, Kathryn Prescott, London, Los Angeles, Milton Keynes, Photography, UK, What Makes Us Care