“Poignant” exhibition created with homeless people in town on display in Wrexham Library

A new exhibition created alongside members of Wrexham’s homeless community is now on display in the town’s library.

Organised in collaboration between National Theatre Wales TEAM and local artists Adrian Metcalf and Sophia Leadill, the ‘Our Voices’ display aims to help changes people’s views of homelessness and share the feelings of those who sleep rough in Wrexham.

The exhibition was due to open at the library in December, however it was postponed after Wrexham Council argued that it “could be used for political purposes” during the pre-election period.

Amongst the artwork on display are portraits created by Adrian last year of homeless men and women in the town centre.

“This exhibition is highlighting their voices and what they want to say,” explained Adrian.

“We sat down and did four workshops with them, we asked some questions and some of the answers we got back were very poignant to say the least.

“We let them draw their own paintings, we gave them photographs and mirrors for them to do self-portraits from. We sat and asked them questions, what matters to you, what would you like to see, what do you think you’re good at.

“This is the result of that.”

The artwork also features powerful and thought provoking messages from members of the town’s homeless community written on cardboard, sleeping bags and canvases.

They include “All because I’m homeless doesn’t make me a criminal”, “Please don’t kick or stamp on me, I only sleeping in this doorway” and “Homeless and helpless”.

Johnny Owen, a local artist who had been homeless for eight years, said he was “over the moon” to see his paintings on display in the library.

He said: “12 months ago I was homeless. Now 12 months down the line I’ve got a flat, I’m ten times better, I’m healthier and I’ve got my artwork on display in the library.

“It’s definitely a 100 per cent turnaround on last year. It goes to show that if you do hit rock bottom, there’s a way up.”

More pictures from the ‘Our Voices’ exhibition can be viewed below:

The ‘Our Voices’ exhibition will be on display in the Wrexham Library until the February 10th.