‘The Fabric of Home’ art exhibition used quilts and fabric to explore the issue of housing insecurity in Sheffield.

The project was brought to life by Rebekah Johnston, the artist, and Hannah Fairbrother, who conducted research. 

Ms Johnston said: “It’s a very poignant issue and it is weaving together stories of individuals and their experiences of home, losing home and all of the various ways that impacts individuals and families.” 

The project focuses on the various situations that create housing insecurity, including eviction risk and rent burden.

Ms Fairbrother said: “We look at the stories behind the numbers, conducting interviews with parents and children who are affected by housing insecurity.

“I don’t think people are aware of the massive crisis we are in. This exhibition is a chance to raise awareness and share these moving stories in a more visual way.”

The exhibition works to show individual families’ experience with housing insecurity, with the interviews held by Hannah and her team being transformed into art by Rebekah.

Ms Johnston said: “Everyone has an experience and a memory of home for themselves so it resonates with lots of people in different ways.

“Through my time spent with the fabrics that I used, I was sitting reflecting on the research that I read and also reflecting on the terrible things happening in the world and how people are experiencing loss of home in that way.”

The exhibition is held at the Winter Gardens, but has plans to be shown at the University of Sheffield.

The use of the fabric to represent housing insecurity was inspired by the sense of comfort, safety and security that home provides, symbolised by the quilts.

Ms Fairbrother said: “The one message that I came across again and again was how fundamental a safe and secure home is for everyday life.

“Beyond the physical aspect of poor housing is the constant stress of what’s coming next and that worry really oppresses families and makes it hard for them to function.”

This was followed by Rebekah, who said: “Hopefully the exhibition raises awareness among the public on how important the research is, and helps in working towards finding a solution.”

To find out more about the project you can read Rebekah’s blog here: https://www.rebekahjohnston.co.uk/blog/the-making-of-the-fabric-of-home-quilts-that-tell-stories-of-housing-insecurity

To see more of her work, follow her Instagram @rebekah_handmade