We Can Make

In January I was commissioned by Knowle West Media Centre, to work as artist researcher on the citizen led housing project, We Can Make. We Can Make…Homes explores how communities can lead and influence the development of housing in their area.

Bristol, like many cities in the UK, desperately needs homes that people both want and can afford. The Bristol Cable recently reported that in 2013/14 Bristol built just 102 affordable homes against an estimated annual need of 1,500.

We want to see communities at the centre of decision-making about these issues, not on the periphery. Many issues and opportunities are emerging, including:

• Gap spaces and micro-plots
• The need for new types of homes that can shrink or grow with the changing needs of families
• Housing that is integrated with other community needs – from social care to employment
• Mixing digital fabrication technology with craft, local skills, and local manufacturing capacity to create more locally-made and beneficial housing
• Exploring what is means to be a good neighbour – can housing be sociable as well as social?
• New kinds of legal and financial models and policy and regulatory frameworks

My work has revolved around door knocking on St Whyte's road over the period of three months, and finding residents interested in the project, who are willing to be interviewed about their relationship with home, housing and financial security. The interviews cover a range of themes, and are recorded in audio format.

For the May exhibition, I am making a new audio documentary - multi linear fiction work that explores stories of home and housing of residents through a poetic summary of social housing since the post war period.

I have been working closely with photographer Ibolya Feher, who is a sensitive and talented photographer interested in capturing the day to day and the human subject.

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