By, Lianne Kolirin
1 min read
By Lianne Kolirin , Lianne Kolirin
A magazine for homeless people to express their creativity has been launched by a Jewish artist.
The publication, called EMMA, celebrates the creativity of people connected with the historic Arlington House — a homeless hostel in London’s Camden Town that opened in 1905.
Each issue showcases artwork, illustrations, articles and poems which explore a range of homeless experiences in a “raw, honest and at times funny” way.
Brian Baderman had the idea for a magazine after hiring a studio space in Arlington House and meeting homeless people.
Arlington describes itself as “a stimulating mixed community of high quality accommodation for homeless people, social enterprises, low-rent accommodation for young professionals and low-income workers”.
It provides 130 accommodation units, of which 95 are for homeless people. Much of the artwork featured in EMMA is produced at weekly creative workshops at Arlington.
Mr Baderman, a member of Golders Green Synagogue, said: “I started to talk to people who I passed in the corridors and we struck up conversations. I realised that it would be a wonderful opportunity to set up a magazine to showcase their ideas, thoughts and experiences.
“People in this position, where they have no money and are often estranged from their families, are very isolated. People who are invisible appreciate the opportunity to feel visible again.”
Mr Baderman edits the magazine on a voluntary basis, producing 300 copies on every print run, which he distributes to homeless shelters.
“Like anybody who comes from an art background, there’s a tremendous thrill about bringing something new into the world,” he said.
Now in its tenth edition, the monthly magazine was officially launched on Wednesday. Mr Baderman said: “I have worked hard to ensure the magazine itself is not one those publications that merely ‘guilt-trips’ people into reading it.
“The work should stand or fall on its own merits. It feels counter-productive to showcase creative work in a way that is patronising. Hopefully, people will look at EMMA because it is striking, cool, and intriguing.”
