Artists capture the lives of young homeless

Six Melbourne artists have hung 36 paintings that portray six homeless teenagers painted progressively over the past three years, during which time the bonding has encouraged some of the subjects to find their way off the streets.

The exhibition is now a fundraising effort for Melbourne Citymission, which is raising money for a new education academy.

To See a Smile from Someone, by Joseph Attard

Dubbed Fusion6, the collective of six artists worked with the clients of Melbourne Citymission’s Frontyard program, which addresses the physical, emotional and social needs of homeless young people.

All the artists have children or grandchildren and had been meaning to do a project on teenage identity for a long time when artist Helen Edwards met the CEO of Melbourne Citymission by chance and the project was born.

“The synergy between the two people was amazing,” says Ivor Edwards, Helen’s husband and project spokesman.

Melissa, by Terrianne Murray

Over the three years some of the six subjects have found their feet and have achieved independence.

“The exhibition shows that despite the terrors and the darkness there can be a positive outcome,” Ivor Edwards says.

“It’s about the humanity that exists in all of us.”

Cristal by Terianne Murray

The subjects stayed with project for the full three years, initially volunteering out of a desire to return something to Melbourne Citymission.

“They were incredibly brave. Given the nature of their problems, to be able to talk to the artist about their lives took a lot of courage. And to stick with it for that amount of time was amazing,” says Citymission spokesperson Joni Tooth.

The six artists involved in the exhibition are Joseph Attard, Helen Edwards, Regina Hona, Lyn Mellady, Terrianne Murray and Raelene Sharp.

A Heavy Load by Raelene Sharp

Each artist painted one portrait of each subject, resulting in 36 paintings.

All of the paintings are up for sale with prices ranging from $4,200 to $15,000, and 80% of each sale goes to Melbourne Citymission.

Ivor Edwards says many of the paintings would look great in a boardroom or a corporate lobby.

Detour: Portraits from a Hard Road runs until December 3 at Gallery 15 on 15 William Street. 

Donations can be made at www.melbournecitymission.org.au