MyLondon encore exhibition

London photography project by homeless celebrates success with encore exhibition

The RPS-supported photography project involving 100 people affected by homelessness who photographed London last year is being exhibited in Westbourne Grove, London until mid-April. Last year’s project, the third year Café Art have run MyLondon, was a success in many ways. Not only did it go viral online, which not only helped it raise £15,500 in pledges from around the world, but the publicity resulted in partnerships with Sao Paulo, Sydney and Manchester. Discussions are currently happening with homelessness organisations in a dozen cities including Toronto and New Orleans. The MyLondon exhibition, which instigated the success, was selected by a panel of judges with photographic and/or experience with homelessness, including a representative from Amateur Photography magazine, FujiFilm and Homeless Link.

ROL hanging his photograph of Mr Bond, a dalmatian, taken in front of the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. The photo went viral last year, being seen by millions of people in August and September as the project solicited for funds on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.

The judges chose the top 20 and also the top three photos in July and in August the public voted on the 20 in the exhibition. The results of the vote note only resulted in another three winning photos (one of which was also in the judges selection. Mr Bond by ROL was second Public Choice and also second Judges’ Choice) but it also helped point out favourites for the 2016 Café Art MyLondon calendar. The calendar is a social enterprise, with 100% of the profits from sales going to the participants and back into the project. Last year participants earned more than £25,000 in cash and art & photography credits.

The exhibition was hung in Westbourne Grove Church Artspace and will be there until mid-April.

Visit the exhibition at Westbourne Grove Church ArtSpace, Westbourne Grove Church, Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RW. Opening hours are Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 9am to 5pm. Meet the photographers for a special weekend opening of the gallery on Saturday 26 March (Easter Saturday) at 3pm – 4pm. Why not drop by after visiting the nearby Portobello Road Market? The 23 bus goes directly past the church. The closest tube station is the Central line (12 minutes walk).

Westbourne Grove Church artspace is on the ground floor of the church, which was built in 1853 but extensively renovated about 10 years ago to include a church, apartments and a gallery space.