Nearly 100kg of charity’s clothing donations transformed into art for new exhibition

A homelessness charity gave 95kg of unusable donated clothing to an art gallery for a huge new exhibition.

Emmaus South Lambeth Community (SLC), features at the Barbican Art Gallery in Silk Street, Barbican, as part of a new exhibition – RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology – which will run until January 14.

The charity provided clothing that had been donated to two of their charity shops, in Knights Hill, West Norwood, and in Stafford Road, Wallington.

The items were then filled into a glass case which now stands as an installation in the exhibition, showcasing the sustainable work the charity does to recycle and re-sell fashion.

The exhibition – which opened on October 5 – brings together photography, film, and installations by nearly 50 women and gender non-conforming artists.

Across roughly 250 works, the exhibition presents a roadmap for creative forms of civil disobedience and protest against the ecological crisis.

Ross Watkins, partnership manager of Emmaus SLC, said: “Donating old, damaged and unusable items of clothing was a more environmentally sound approach for both the Vestaire Collective, and us, as sustainability is at the heart of both our organisations.

“We are delighted to be involved in this expansive exhibition which highlights the ongoing environmental challenges and the need for greater sustainability in the fashion industry and beyond.”

Emmaus SLC supports up to 45 people who have experienced homelessness by giving them a home and work in one of their eight charity shops.

There are currently 30 Emmaus communities across the country, supporting more than 850 people who have experienced homelessness in the UK.

Pictured top: Emmaus community member Andy Bryant and supervisor for Emmaus SLC, Barbara Kelly,  visited the Barbican exhibition on October 17 to see the installation of their donated clothing (Picture: Emmaus SLC)