Posted on: 19th December 2024

St George’s Crypt, a 95-year-old, award-winning charity based in Leeds, is excited to announce the launch of ‘Lazarus’ (1), a transformative public art project in collaboration with Artists Pippa Hale and David Hawkins. This project will co-create a powerful public realm commission aimed at reshaping perceptions of homelessness while nurturing the creative potential of individuals experiencing it.

Over the course of five months, the first phase of the project will bring together a group of homeless individuals from St George's Crypt to engage in a creative journey. Working closely with Pippa and David, participants will gain invaluable skills and confidence through hands-on, creative experiences, culminating in a concept for a public artwork to be displayed across Leeds.
 
“Homelessness is often seen as a complex, unsolvable issue, but we know that the people we work with at St George’s Crypt are full of creative potential,” said Christine Lane, Head of Health and Well-being. “Through this project, we aim to demonstrate that homelessness doesn’t define a person’s value. Each participant’s journey is about reclaiming dignity and expressing the stories of their lives in a powerful, creative way.”
 
The Lazarus project is also an opportunity to foster long-term relationships between artists, local arts organisations, and the wider public. By collaborating with Leeds Art Gallery, Assembly House, Left Bank Leeds and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the project aims to break down barriers between the homeless community and the cultural sector, encouraging more inclusive cultural engagement for all.
 
Pippa Hale, a Leeds-based contemporary artist, noted, “I’m really excited to be working with David and people who have experience of homelessness and to make an artwork that speaks about it in such a public and positive way. Last year we saw the unveiling of Hibiscus Rising by Yinka Shonibare which commemorated David Oluwale who experienced homelessness himself (as well as racism, mental ill health and police brutality) and this year Ribbons which celebrates the contribution women have made to our city. These artworks mark a new direction for public art programming in Leeds. Lazarus builds on this legacy by raising up the voices of those who are marginalised in our society and values their strength, resilience and creative expression.”
 
David Hawkins, an environmental artist from Skipton, added, ‘People who’ve had the misfortune to become homeless and have turned to alcohol and drugs, are just as creative as the rest of us - often more so, as you have to be creative to live by your wits on the street. This project is about showcasing that creativity and encouraging society to revise their view of homeless people. After all it only takes redundancy, house re-possession and a relationship breakup to put you on the street – there but for the grace of God go I. Lazarus is about re-instating people who’ve been marginalised and helping to bring an end to the need for people to have to live on our streets
 
The first phase of Lazarus will bring forward a proposal for a work of public art for Leeds that could be a single installation or a number of smaller interventions across the city. Phase 2 will see the realisation of the artwork in the city. The aim is not only to provide an artistic outlet for participants but also to shift public perceptions and encourage respect rather than pity or contempt for the homeless community.
 
St George’s Crypt believes the project will provide long-term opportunities such as mental health support, educational programmes, and creative mentoring.
 
For more information on how to support the Lazarus project or to make a donation, please contact St George’s Crypt
 
Lazarus (1) is the working title of the project. It draws inspiration from the biblical stories of Lazarus, highlighting both the rebirth of people who’ve fallen on hard times and the need to change society’s attitude toward homelessness.
 
**About St George’s Crypt** 
For over 95 years, St George’s Crypt has been dedicated to supporting homeless, vulnerable people and those struggling with addiction. The charity provides accommodation, meals, rehabilitation services, and training, helping individuals rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
 
**About the Artists** 
*Pippa Hale* is a contemporary artist based in Leeds whose practice centres around social history, geography and play. She works across galleries, museums, collections and the public realm in a range of media including foam, inflatables, food, film, sound, iron, digital technology and neon. This year she created Ribbons at Playhouse Gardens in Leeds, a 4m high sculpture in corten steel that carries the names of nearly 400 women. The project was led by the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP and Leeds Arts University working in partnership with Leeds City College and Leeds City Council. www.ribbons-sculpture-leeds.co.uk
*David Hawkins* is an environmental artist from Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales, where he works in acrylics, watercolour, photography, collage and mixed media. In the 1980’s and 90’s he worked at St George’s Crypt as its Executive Trustee in his capacity as the Rector of the Church. Now as an honorary assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Leeds he’s delighted to be working among homeless people again – as an artist as well as a priest. David is aware that the arts can often engage with stubborn socio-political issues in a more effective way than rhetoric or campaigning. Art speaks to the heart as well as the mind and has the capacity to mobilise change. During Cop26 in Glasgow, he was artist in residence for a public art project addressing the Climate Emergency. He’s now pleased to be working with people who’ve experienced the challenge of having to sleep rough.’