Eye Contact: Perth photographer wants people to look homelessness in the face

Posted by Barry Thornton

As featured in the Guardian Express

MOST people look away from homeless people but a photographic exhibition that opens this month will encourage people to take notice, according to Perth photographer Phil England.

The Eye Contact project, initiated by the Rotary Clubs of Perth and Heirisson, features 20 portraits of homeless people in WA with a summary of their personal stories.

The portraits show the subjects looking directly at the viewer.

“Most people look the other way when they see homeless people in the street,” England said.

“Sadly, they believe the problem is intractable; an attitude that percolates through to State and Federal government policy.

“We want the portraits to help viewers recognise the humanity in homeless people and help bring about changes in attitude by government, the business world and society in general.”

The exhibition will spend 12 days at Cloisters Centre, Hay Street from October 10, before moving to other locations in the metropolitan area.

Funds raised will go towards frontline medical services for the homeless.