Caroline Groves x Anonymous
Anonymous story
“It was devastating to lose our home. I lived there for 49 years.”
After receiving a significant and unexpected tax bill, Anonymous lost the home she shared with her elderly parents and daughter.
With nowhere to go, Anonymous had to sofa-surf at the homes of friends and family, while her parents moved into their brother’s small flat and her daughter into her sister’s.
After filing for bankruptcy, Anonymous went to the council for help and was given a Band B category of need. But then the council began to treat her case with suspicion and downgraded the family to Band E.
“I’m not stupid, but I’m not well-educated. I didn’t know how to discuss my case with the people in charge. And then I went to Shelter and met Philomena.”
After Philomena had Thelma’s case reassessed, the family were returned to high priority. In November, she successfully bid on a new social home.
Caroline’s inspiration
After years of uncertainty, bankruptcy, eviction, navigating bureaucracy and surviving the Snakes and Ladders of Hope and Despair, all that my paired individual desired was a refuge.
These boots represent a home at its most basic, similar to that depicted in naïve domestic samplers. Using simple stitches, the embroidery reflects simple desires – family, dog, furniture – all protected by strong red brick, adorned with a rambling rose decorating the entrance. Precious and Fragile.
The linings depict the spiral of decline, somewhat like Alice tumbling into chaos, losing control, conversely interpreted as the never-ending climb out of the abyss.
While the person I am paired with wishes to remain anonymous, the name of her Shelter representative is hidden in the shoe - the silent hand that reached down as she was falling and brought her back out of the dark hole.
This is the story of homeless strife. It is also the story of the power of kindness.
Visit Shoes Have Names at New Brewery Arts
The exhibition is open from 30th January to 2nd April at New Brewery Arts. It’s free to visit.
Support Shelter charity shops
This exhibition first appeared at a Shelter boutique in London. We wanted to connect shopping, fashion and craft to tell stories of homelessness. Whenever you pre-loved donate clothes, or buy from us you’re helping Shelter fight the housing emergency that is devastating lives.
To donate clothing and items to our charity shops via post, for free, simply download a free postage label. Or you can find your local Shelter charity shop here.
To find out more about Shelter, click on the links below:
Shelter Website: http://england.shelter.org.uk/
Campaigning: http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns
Support us: https://england.shelter.org.uk/GetHelp
Get help: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help