Street to Street (2021)

Shelter WA invites you to our end-of-year get-together and official opening of Street to Street, a 50-piece sculptural installation at Artsource, Fremantle, created during a 16 week Artist in Residency with Deborah Ralph-Kafarela hosted by Shelter WA in collaboration with St. Pat's, The Ruah Centre and Uniting's Tranby Centre.

The project challenges institutional boundaries by giving voice to people with Lived Experience of Housing Insecurity and Homelessness, through direct participation in a community based arts project.

The Background

Inspired by American Artist Rick Lowe Project Row housing, Artist in Residence Deborah Ralph-Kafarela states,"COVID-19 has further highlighted the vulnerability of those experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. With a human right focus of every person having a right to housing, food and a safe environment, I believe The Arts can bring all the community together to achieve a creative cultural change in approach to the housing shortage."

The community art workshops were held with people who have or are currently experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. Pre-fabricated model houses designed by Ms. Ralph-Kafarela were embellished by each participant with stencil designs of the exterior cladding, gardens and interior objects that make a home a home for cultural communities to have artistic expression in a community-led sculptural installation.

Artist in Residence

Deborah Ralph-Kafarela is a contemporary multidisciplined artist who advocates for Human Rights within Australian Culture, promoting change, bridging the gap between socio economic, social, gender, and cultural difference, opening discussion and engaging action through art and encouraging 'cultural envinromentalism', moving away from 'commentator' to facilitator'.

Funding for this project is proudly supplied by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, and the City of Perth.

In collaboration with St. Patrick's Community Support Centre, The Ruah Centre, and Uniting's Tranby Centre.