Café Art is a London-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals affected by homelessness through creative expression and community engagement. Since its inception in 2012, Café Art has been instrumental in providing platforms for homeless artists to showcase their talents, fostering connections between these individuals and the broader community.
Central to Café Art’s mission is the annual MYLONDON project, a photography initiative that invites people with lived experience of homelessness to capture their perspectives of London. Participants are provided with single-use Fujifilm QuickSnap 35mm film cameras and given seven days to take 27 photographs, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s landscape through their eyes.
The project culminates in a public exhibition and the production of the MYLONDON calendar, featuring selected photographs. Sales from the calendar and accompanying greeting cards directly benefit the photographers, with participants earning 50% of the sale price, mirroring the model of street newspapers. This initiative not only provides financial support but also boosts self-esteem and fosters a sense of community among participants.
The success of MYLONDON has inspired similar projects worldwide, leading to the establishment of photography initiatives in cities such as Budapest, Sydney, New Orleans, Toronto, and São Paulo. These projects, under the umbrella of MyWorld Creative Projects, aim to replicate Café Art’s model of empowering homeless individuals through photography and community engagement.
Café Art’s partnership with the London Photo Show underscores its commitment to integrating the voices of homeless artists into mainstream art platforms. By showcasing photographs from the MYLONDON project at the London Photo Show, Café Art highlights the talents of its participants and raises awareness about homelessness, challenging public perceptions and fostering empathy through art.
The MYLONDON project is supported by organizations such as The Royal Photographic Society, Fujifilm, and Jessops, which provide training, equipment, and services essential to the project’s success. Notably, the initiative operates without government funding, relying instead on sales and community support to sustain its activities
For more information about Café Art and the MYLONDON project, please visit www.cafeart.org.uk
Instagram: @cafeartuk
