Given that today it was announced that the Red Cross would be delivering food aid across the UK, it felt like the right moment to share this page I made a couple of weeks ago. It needs no explanation, but I just wanted/needed to share my huge sadness at what is happening under a government which doesn't seem able to understand the needs of ordinary people .... or is unable to grasp the concept that not everyone has savings to fall back on.
This was one of those times when I shamelessly used an interesting piece of paper rather than working up an artsy background. Its allowed, and don't let anybody tell you its not real art if you don't make every bit of it yourself ...
It needed very little but I added a few bits and bobs, including these words I'd cut out from an Oxfam leaflet.
Then I just wrote what was on my heart. We do what we can to help, our church makes heroic efforts to collect for the food bank, but it isn't and can never be enough. Its still a tragedy.
Then the odd doodly line with a white pen and it was done. I cried when I'd done, but felt better for expressing it. Every time I sit down to eat I think about those who can't .... the ones right here at home in this rich, western country. And I feel ashamed.
You see in our early married life there were plenty of times when we weren't sure what we were going to eat the next day, or we lay awake wondering how on earth we could pay the bills. I've been there; its terrifying. We support the food bank run with real heroism by our local Salvation Army, but it shouldn't be happening and it makes me terribly angry! Maybe you'd noticed.
6 comments:
I've also been there in the 70's and it is impossible to forget the terrible worries at the time. I always managed to feed the children - even if there was no meat and my parents were around to help a little so I was lucky.
Beautiful artwork and lovely sentiment. I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for sharing.
I too am ashamed that people in my country are going hungry and we need such things as food banks. Thank goodness there are some good people who care enough to supply them.
I read this blog a few days ago and I couldn't forget it. These situations happen in Holland to, but I think it's worse in England. We ouhgt to be ashamed that it's still happening in our wealthy countries.
I always admire how even in anger or despair, you can produce such beautiful and creative pages, Rosie. And your sentiments I share; I remember my husband swopping three postage stamps for half-a-dozen eggs and a bag of potatoes in the local corner shop when our children were small. I fear, though, that the current situation is only going to worsen as prices/costs of utilities and food rise and as more and more jobs become part-time or with zero-contract hours... There will always, however, be a place for those like you who can name what is happening and express feelings about it. I think you could make wonderful posters ...
Agree with all you say..... just wish there was more we could do.
A very moving page.
xx
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