Change the Frame 2022
This year, as a response to our theme ‘Going to the Margins’, the Visual Arts team purposely put-up artworks on cardboard around the College, in places where the school community would be able to find them. The idea was to bring awareness to the plight of those experiencing homelessness.
‘Change the Frame’, asked us all to rethink our understanding of homelessness, by offering our artworks a dry, safe and warm place for the night, because by changing the frame around a situation, you not only change your perception of it, but its meaning to you.
This initiative was inspired by the street artist Michael Aaron Williams who simply tapes his homeless people drawings to walls so that anyone who passes by might want to stop, take them off the wall, and bring them home. And if no one does? "They will cease to exist," Williams says. "They will be destroyed and blown away in the wind or other forces that will rip them down and throw them away."
As the weather got colder in Melbourne, we asked our community to decide on the fate of the characters they walked past in the school grounds; whether they would end up discarded, trampled on and thrown away or, lovingly taken home for a night or a couple of days. We asked for a gold coin donation in return with all money raised going to a wonderful organisation called COTS (Christmas on the Streets) who help people experiencing homelessness. Thank you to all our students and staff for getting behind this initiative. We raised over $300 during Term 2.
‘Change the Frame’, asked us all to rethink our understanding of homelessness, by offering our artworks a dry, safe and warm place for the night, because by changing the frame around a situation, you not only change your perception of it, but its meaning to you.
This initiative was inspired by the street artist Michael Aaron Williams who simply tapes his homeless people drawings to walls so that anyone who passes by might want to stop, take them off the wall, and bring them home. And if no one does? "They will cease to exist," Williams says. "They will be destroyed and blown away in the wind or other forces that will rip them down and throw them away."
As the weather got colder in Melbourne, we asked our community to decide on the fate of the characters they walked past in the school grounds; whether they would end up discarded, trampled on and thrown away or, lovingly taken home for a night or a couple of days. We asked for a gold coin donation in return with all money raised going to a wonderful organisation called COTS (Christmas on the Streets) who help people experiencing homelessness. Thank you to all our students and staff for getting behind this initiative. We raised over $300 during Term 2.
TommyTommy struggled to cope with the sudden death of his wife. He moved to a new city with only some of his belongings to distance himself from family and friends.
Luna & RowieLuna fled from her abusive partner with her dog Rowie. All of Luna's family live overseas and her partner had hidden their contact information from her.
EmmaEmma is left scared and alone when her Grandma, who is her legal guardian, falls ill.
Finn & MaxFinn was financially abused by his partner, who had taken all his money and belongings, leaving him and his dog Max, homeless.
Jen, PJ & DennyJen has never had a house to call home. Since she was young, she experienced neglect and abuse, and was placed in residential care. The streets have now become home for Jen and her 2 dogs, PJ and Denny.
JoshJosh has been in out-of-home care since he was 3 years old. Feeling alone and forgotten, he ran away from his 5th foster care home.
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Liz, Anna, Joseph & RileyLiz escaped from domestic violence with her three children, Anna, Joseph, and Riley. They sleep in their car because it's safer than their own home.
WillWill has been dealing with depression and anxiety which has caused him to miss work and withdraw from family and friends.
SonnySonny visited Australia on a working visa. Due to the pandemic, she could no longer work and was unable to stay in her temporary accommodation.
JohnJohn got into a bad car accident 5 years ago. He used all his money to pay for surgery, and could no longer afford to pay rent.
RonRon was let go from his job due to a knee injury. He lost his source of income and became homeless.
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