The Life Voyager's Tea Service

This work was commissioned by the charity The House of St Barnabas in London as a headline feature for their festival 'Art Social.' The piece responded to the set theme of 'shelter' according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs which I examined through the lens of the sense of belonging fostered via dialogue based learning forums. My work composed three sculptural elements (one in Soho Square, one in nearby House of St Barnabas and one only available backstage to members of the charity) playing with the gathering of communities of concern around the hospitable ritual of drinking tea (Talk, Exchange, Arrive). I involved members of the charity's employment academy -many of whom had experienced homelessness- in devising key inscriptions which featured in the work and in engaging with members of the public alongside a giant teapot during the festival.