Further Images / Return to 2019
Description: For this Kings Cross Library Artwork Display Program, writing workshops were undertaken at Wayside Chapel and Rough Edges. Patrons of these services made submissions to be considered for this artwork. David Christopher Marsh from Rough Edges had his text on display during January and Ivan Nemec during February.
January Display: David Christopher Marsh
ANONYMOUSLY HE WEAVES HIS WAY THROUGH CROWDED STREETS SENSING STORIES BY INTUITION FEELING THE PAIN OF DISCONNECTION
David or 'Davo' to his friends has lived on (or near) the streets of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Kings Cross for thirty years. A prolific writer, David has written poetry since he was nineteen years old. He is the author of three self-published collections of poetry: A Street Spirituality (2002), Reflections (2007) and The Ideal (2011). David's poems were included in Word on the Street (2007) published by Word Association and has also self-published a book of Litanies and a book of Prayers.
This text on display at Kings Cross Library is an extract from David's poem titled Street Mystic from the Street Spirituality collection. David has frequented Rough Edges in Kings Cross over the past twenty years. Ryan Naoum the team leader describes Rough Edges as "a place where community happens for people experiencing homelessness and marginalization and where anyone who walks through the door is welcome". More recently, David has been living in a unit at Northcott, which he describes as 'perfect'. See David's website at www.astreetspirituality.wordpress.com
February Display: Ivan Nemec
I HAVE DONE MY CRYING IN THE RAIN SLIPPING BADLY ON EACH TEAR BUT MY EYES ARE DRY NOW AND I WONDER WHY?
This text was written by Ivan Nemec, a patron of the Wayside Chapel. Ivan explains: "as a former immigrant I regard myself as an utter failure. Instead of reaching for the stars, embracing well my new environment, I went back to the negative existence that I was raised in. Thanks Dad. I am ready to meet the big brother". Texts were generated for this Kings Cross Library display in workshops held at the Wayside Chapel in November and December 2018.
The Wayside Chapel's mission is to create community with no ‘us and them’. They do this by breaking down the barriers of judgement and providing a safe place where people from all walks of life are welcome. Their doors are open seven days a week and they have been providing care and support for people on and around the streets since 1964. As the team leader Diana Stojanovich and other staff at Wayside Chapel attest, "it is through opportunities to connect, that we see moments of transformation which move people towards health and healing".
This project was assisted by a grant from CreateNSW, an agency of the New South Wales Government. The NSW Artists'Grant is administered by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA).