UNH House Exhibit Overview

Main Sections of the Exhibit

1. Leah Dbuk's Photography

   • Canadian photographer documenting homelessness since age 15.
   • Captures images and stories of homeless individuals across the world.
   • Her portraits convey powerful stories through the subjects' eyes.
   • Interviews reveal diverse reasons for homelessness: optimism, despair, gratitude for being heard.

2. Baronette's Sign Collection

   • Collects signs from homeless individuals across the USA for 31 years.
   • Creates large-scale installations, collages of these signs.
   • Signs express requests for money, resources, compassion, human connection.
   • Addresses personal discomfort with engaging with homeless individuals through his art.

Intermediary Data Presentation

• Data on homelessness in Philadelphia and the USA.
• Risk factors and public health statistics related to homelessness.
• Homelessness presented as a public health crisis.
• Emphasis on personalized data that reflects the situation in Philadelphia.

Collaboration and Artistic Process

• Collaboration: Second collaboration between Leah Dbuk and Baronette.
• Artistic Methodologies:
  • Willie’s installations are spontaneous and independent.
  • Leah's work involves precise, cooperative gallery-style setups.
• Exhibition Design: Supported by Gecko Group for design, arrangement, and graphics.
• Leah's challenge: selecting 40 portraits from 600 produced.

Public Health and Societal Insights

• Homelessness is a societal issue, not a genetic or communicable problem.
• Increase in homelessness by 12% in 2023, highest recorded increase.
• Philadelphia's unhoused population: approx. 5,000.
• Misconception about homeless children being unsheltered.
• Health issues prevalent among the homeless due to limited access to medical care.
• Mental health and substance use issues exacerbated by the stress of homelessness.

Role of the College and Public Health Perspective

• The College of Physicians' historical role in addressing public health issues.
• Mission: Lessen human misery, initiated during the yellow fever epidemic.
• Homelessness compared to historical public health crises.
• Emphasis on dignity, respect, and empathy for the homeless.

Exhibit Impact and Visitor Interaction

• Encouragement for public engagement and volunteerism to help the homeless.
• TalkBack walls in the gallery for visitor interaction:
  • Questions about personal definitions of home and experiences with homelessness.
• Positive visitor feedback encouraging empathy and awareness.
• Art as a medium for raising awareness of homelessness and its complexities.

Key Takeaway

• Recognition and empathy as the first steps in addressing homelessness.