Art show paints positive picture of homeless people

Homeless people are displaying their artistic talents at an inaugural art exhibition being staged in Brisbane this week.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communities, Ronan Lee, said the exhibition at the Metro Arts Building in Edward Street showed there was a lot more to homeless people than sleeping rough at night.

“Homeless people are often viewed as having lives and issues that are substantially different from most other people in the community,” Mr Lee said.

“What this exhibition proves is that homeless people have talents and abilities just like other members of the community.

“I encourage people to drop into the exhibition and see these great artworks for themselves.”

The exhibition, based on the theme of self-expression, runs until 10 March. All the artworks are for sale, with all proceeds going to the artists.

The event has been organised by the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House’s Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic — a community organisation providing free legal advice to homeless people — in conjunction with homelessness support agencies.

“The work of these organisations in hosting this exhibition is a big step forward in changing perceptions within the wider community about homeless people,” Mr Lee said.

Media contact: Ronan Lee 0409 344 840