Photography, Reflection, and Support for Simon on the Streets
In 2020, I captured an image that has stayed with me ever since. It shows a man lost in concentration, focused intently on what lies in his hands. I called the photograph “The Puzzle.” For me, it speaks on two levels: the immediate puzzle of what absorbs him, and the deeper, more difficult puzzle of homelessness in our society today.
Homelessness is a subject that is often reduced to numbers and headlines, but behind every statistic is a person with a story, a struggle, and a quiet humanity. That is why I’ve chosen to connect this image with Simon on the Streets, a Leeds-based charity that provides frontline support for those who are homeless or vulnerably housed. Their work is about more than temporary fixes—it’s about long-term relationships, guidance, and hope for those who have often been left behind.
As part of my upcoming exhibition at Seven Café & Bar in Chapel Allerton, “The Puzzle” will be on display alongside a selection of my other work. For every framed copy of the photograph sold, I will donate £25 to Simon on the Streets. My hope is that the image will not only prompt reflection, but also contribute in a small way to a charity making a genuine difference on our doorstep.
To donate £25 to Simon on the Streets please visit my "Store" and search for "The Puzzle". Thank You!
Exhibitions are an opportunity to share art, but they’re also an opportunity to start conversations. “The Puzzle” asks us to pause, to see, and to think. If it also helps to shine a light on homelessness and support the work of Simon on the Streets, then it has served a purpose greater than photography alone.
I’d love for you to join me at Seven Café & Bar, Chapel Allerton, this September, to see the work in person and maybe even take home a piece that carries both an image and a message.
