Role: Graphic Design Leader (as part of PSU’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative)

Format: 4 ft x 4 ft

Graphic exhibited at: 

• Exploring PSU Research on Homelessness, Portland State of Mind, Portland (USA), 2019, Exhibitor and Speaker. 

• Old Town Fresh, at Floyd’s Coffee Shop, Portland (USA), 2020, Exhibitor.

Understanding Homelessness is a graphic sparked from the Center Director’s need to discuss and explain the complex issue of homelessness to different audiences. Organized across three main categories – causes, outcomes, and solutions – the topic is visualized as an intricate system of pipes. The upper pipes represent the foundation of our society (health, economy, education, housing, criminal justice) and, if well-functioning, lead to well-being. However, they are broken, and they leak into a bucket representing homelessness, which is filling up under increasing pressure. Moreover, the entire system is under the stress of three external handles – class, gender, and race – that additionally increase the pressure into the pipes, exacerbating the leaking. Other than fixing the pipes, the solution is opening the tubs to help releasing that pressure and reconnect with the well-being dimension. Grass-root, bottom-up movements and actions are also key to support the pipes and nurture the multiple solutions to address homelessness.