‘One Percent’ is an exhibition that draws attention to human rights and homelessness and the basic human need to be seen as an individual.
Agata Nowak is a London-based multidisciplinary artist and ceramicist, who’s work responds to social and political issues, addressing issues of injustice and discrimination.
Human touch, being held, being seen, these come into focus especially for individuals experiencing homelessness. In Agata’s piece ‘One Percent(2021)’, 3200 carefully hand-made porcelain round pieces, represent individuals experiencing homelessness in the UK.
Held in the hand, formed and moulded, imprinted with the marks of human touch, her hand-made ceramic pieces draw attention to invisible groups, exploring the importance of human connection and its relationship to survival. Simple, earth based material brings forms to life, making the invisible visible.
At a point of mid-winter and in the context of recent statements from the former Home Secretary seeking to focus on homelessness and rough sleeping as a ‘public nuisance’ or a ‘lifestyle choice’, this work quietly calls for a re-focussing of this dehumanising lens.
‘Its quite simple, this could happen to any one of us more quickly than we realise.’ says Agata, ’If we don’t resist this slide into ‘othering’, we run the danger of losing sight of the homeless as people, of their humanity, seeing them as individuals.’
Agata often works together with vulnerable groups, creating a context for social connection and human interaction. Her piece ‘Ceramic Garden’, a collectively created ceramic work, brought ‘real joy’ to over 223 participants, rediscovering how to work with their hands.
Human and physical warmth are key to survival for everyone, particularly the homeless. Those that disappear stay invisible until they are seen, heard, counted, given shelter, supported back into social contact.
In its small acts of resistance, this exhibition calls for a strengthening of a culture of empathy, of connection and kindness in the context of the very real day-to-day hardships, with increasing costs and precarious living conditions, many are now facing.
The exhibition is open to public and can be visited free of charge from Monday to Friday, between 8:30am and 6pm at The Foundry. Please see our 'Visit' page for how to find us.