Two artists who were formerly street-homeless have been creating pieces of art to display in the head office of Coastline Housing.
George Richards and Lincoln Bond have been life-long artists, whose inspiration and talents were further fuelled by a 20-week art course run at The New Connection’s day centre in Camborne, in partnership with Cornwall College.
The New Connection, a division of Coastline Housing, exists to prove that those without a home needn’t be without a hope and helps over 300 homeless people a year towards a brighter future.
The artwork has been viewed by staff, Coastline Housing tenants and other local business people, and several pieces have already being purchased with gaps on the Board Room wall regularly having to be replenished.
Funds for the art go direct to the artists, to help them in their mission to continue to buy new materials and paint new pieces.
George said: “Art is a very personal and emotional thing, and it’s a big undertaking to have the confidence to put it on display. For us, it’s not just art but therapy as well. The New Connection and Coastline have been a huge help and support in getting us this far. Now I feel like the sky’s the limit!”
While George describes his artwork as ‘shocking, bold and colourful’, influenced by Mondrian and Klimpt; Lincoln describes his work as a journey of self-exploration and self-development, which is very experimental in its nature. His varied and diverse pieces include both landscapes and seascapes.
One recent visitor to the Board Room who couldn’t resist purchasing two pieces of artwork was lawyer Simon Sanger-Anderson of Tozers Solicitors in Devon, who is also Chair of Devon and Cornwall Housing Association.
Simon explained: “I have always enjoyed art, and particularly enjoy art that evokes memories of Cornwall, one of my favourite places to visit. The fact that two such talented and fresh artists are exhibiting work at Coastline Housing was very pleasing. It’s also very pleasing to know that the purchasing of such pieces is further fuelling the ability of these artists to continue their artistic journeys.”