My conflict has evolved back to the homeless idea.

Instead of focusing on food shortages however, which admittedly reflecting on it now is not a conflict (apologies) but indeed a problem, I am now focusing on the abuse which homeless people get from passers by whilst begging for example. It is suprising to know that the rate of abuse towards homeless has increased dramatically in the last 5 years. Presumably due to the increase in drink and drink in the underaged. (This however will need to be researched (another trip to the Wellspring methinks!))

I asked some questions to the homeless at the Wellspring, a charity which provides hot meals to the homeless, and they were very genuine and honest in their answers. Stan-the-man was a lovely old chap who claimed not to be homeless (others had other thoughts), it seems that even the homeless do not like to admit to it for fear of the preconceptions of what others will have and to avoid the abuse that I will be looking into.

On Athens, there has been much secondary research sourced, some of which was quite suprising and I am glad to be learning again. At one point I thought that had stopped and I was stuck in a rut of turning up and gaining nothing.

This weekend I will be doing some observations of people who sell the Big Issue to see if they are victims of abuse (lots of layers will be required methinks!) and also to do some interviews if I can find people who are willing to particpate. It may also be a good idea to hand out questionnaires to general people to see what their attitudes are like to the homeless (further evidencing if these attitudes exist)

I also have my post modern essay to be getting on with and I will post some of the research into Riitta's inspirations and the YouTube videos I found showing abuse on the homeless.

Riitta Ikonen

Ok, so her work is not really to my taste, and with all due respect she was a little bit difficult to understand. But it's good to know about these artists who are current and relevant, right? Cool, so here was her presentation at college this week...



She is a Finnish theatrical photographer who works from London and New York and studied illustration at Brighton. What opened my eyes more than anything was that she is actually an illustrator but does not conform to the typical illustrator stereotype, in other words she thinks outside of the box and produces work that excites her



I noticed that she produces a vast amount of work over relatively small time frames and she is very well travelled. (I wish I could get the opportunity!!)



People that inspire her and threads I need to research are Dia Beacon and Brigette Riley



Art is 20% skill and 80% attitude!


I like this image of a snowflake and her story behind it. The way her work is very personal intrigues me. This particular year it had not snowed in her home country so she has to represent it instead

Heard this and it excited me, hope you enjoy it too :)



By the way I got the 'conflict' sorted too! Productive week actually, more on that at a later date...

Now I'm told that my 'conflict' is not a conflict but a 'problem'. I need to find a conflict, one where people are not talking and the aim is to get them talking.

I really am starting to despise this brief ... it is not illustration! After the last brief and my low mark, I was really looking forward to getting stuck into something with some substance. I feel that I am producing work because I have to and not because and want to and because I enjoy it anymore. It is such a shame, last year the briefs were fun and accessible, this year they are mundane and about as far away from art as you could get.

Concentrating on my new conflict then - I have decided on Muslims vs. BNP. This is definitely a conflict where two opposing thought paths do not talk. In a way, for me, it is two cultures that clash. British Nationals want to keep the British identity and don't look at what others can offer. Muslims don't understand the keeping of the Bitish culture but their homelands would not allow Christianity to become the dominant religion. It will no doubt be a sensitive issue but I think I could access first hand information from Muslim's that I work with.

My first step will be to devise a questionnaire for Muslim's and one for BNP followers. From their answers I will be able to see what it is that they don't see eye to eye over the most. With it being a majorly cultural conflict my solution will probably be based around food, clothing or music etc.

Looking at things on another level, I could have a look at Muslim/Indian art to see what is different in comparison to British and also ask the Muslim's what artists they like.

Here is my final piece for the Stolen Peace competition brief. I had the idea of combining all three elements of the bones, the peace and the solen. To do this I've photographed some carcasses and layered a stencil over the top which spells out stolen in the peace symbol. I wanted to create a simple yet striking logo that would become synonymous with the band and what they stand for. Enjoy!

Possible Solutions to Hunger & Homeless:

1.For the government to issue a voucher for food (Tesco, luncheon etc)
2.Tesco to issues vouchers
3.Private companies making a certain profit should donate meal vouchers
4.Tax reductions for companies donating food
5.Compulsory donation stations at places of work
6.Rota in villages of which companies donate in which month
7.Free labour in return for food
8.School canteens etc. to donate excess/unwanted food
9.Fines for disposing of good food
10.Setting up of stations for people to leave left over’s from meals
11.Make food cheaper
12. For there to be no empty properties
13.Fines/convictions for empty properties
14. Free food at struggling restaurants to attract more customers
15. Make healthy/more nutritional food cheap and higher taxes on fast/processed food
16. Stop waste – recycle everything
17.Government to guarantee a certain amount of free food per person out of their taxes paid (percentage maybe?)
18.Setting up of an individual taxes scheme (where the amount of taxes one pays over their lifetime accrues and they can choose where to spend it whether in hospital on the roads etc)
19. Homeless to visit food chains at the end of service for example Greggs
20. Luncheon vouchers incorporated into their benefits not just handing over money to help alcoholics etc to eat

These are some basic ideas and I am sure that I can come up with more. There is plenty of potential for these to be developed further. I will look at the strongest and present them to the Salvation Army and see what their thoughts are as a starting point.

I am unsure as to why, but this is a conflict that I am very interested in. Maybe it is becuase if I were in that situation I would hope that there would be someone there to look after my interests :)

I have finally stumbled upon my conflict!

Going to the tutorial on Tuesday was really helpful. Before I was concentrating on the end product and not on the conflict and research about it. For example I was looking at a remote control for a television which has a random button for when the family are arguing about what to watch, the tv would randomly select something for them. However, I have now seen the error of my ways and although I didn't want to be too ambitious in case I couldn't fulfil my propostitions I have also learnt to try not and restrict myself.

I am currently looking at homelessness and how shelters are struggling for food to provide to these needy people. I have chosen food as it is a basic need and requirement for humans to survive. Clothing etc. could be looked at later on but I do not see it as such an immidiate threat as a lack of food, especially in this freezing conditions!

My starting point is to talk to the local Salvation Army centre to see how they operate and just how vital food supplies are for the homeless. From here I can see what shortages they have (if any?) and how I could potenitally help them with this conflict. It may come to light that there are other conflicts within the homeless field which are more vital or which I could do more about to help with.

After this, I will devise a questionnaire for the homeless to see what they think of the food situation and what they would like to see happen within this area.