Tom Hunter has dubbed his latest work a “protest against the modern housing crisis”.
The 58-year-old internationally celebrated artist speaks to Hackney Post about his current exhibition.
The exhibition focuses on Hackney’s changing housing structures through a series of photographs. The photographs show people in their East End homes from the ‘70s until today, focusing on both how the physical spaces have changed, and the responding cultures of its inhabitants. Through the series, Hunter aims to expose the “weird loop,” of Hackney’s housing problems.
“After the war, lots of low-density housing was bulldozed and replaced by modern high-rise ‘homes for heroes’, which failed and were blown up for low rises”, he explained. “20 years later and we’re back to high-rises”.
“These are meant to give ordinary people decent, clean, affordable housing, but they’re becoming too expensive. All my friends’ children are being forced to move away”.
There are over 13,000 families on the waiting list for social housing in Hackney, including over 3,000 in temporary accommodation, with property values having increased 472% over the last 20 years – the highest rise in the UK.
In response to the housing crisis, last year Hackney Council committed to building 1,000 new homes for social rent by 2026.
Hunter noted that his upcoming talk at Hackney Museum about the exhibition will also focus on representation and inclusivity amid Hackney’s celebration of Black History Season:
“After Hackney’s ‘White flight’ in the 1970s, the African and Caribbean communities came when no-one wanted to be here. They championed Hackney and made it great. We need to protect them from being forced out and keep Hackney’s vibrant diversity”.
‘Hackney at Home’ launched at Hackney Museum last month and will run until 24 February 2024. Hunter will give a talk about his work tonight, Thursday 26th October, at Hackney Museum. He will be joined by fellow photographer and collaborator for the exhibition, Sue Andrews.
