Behind the deck of cards, a homeless Britain

Extreme creativity reveals a strong social message

This week sees the mixed and colourful exhibition of 52 of the UK’s leading artists and designers, including Damien Hirst, Marc Quinn, David Bailey and Vivienne Westwood, who have come together to create a unique collection of art inspired by Shelter’s House of Cards campaign, which aims to highlight Britain’s housing crisis. 

Creations include Vivienne Westwood as queen of spades.

In 2008 Shelter, in association with Leo Burnett London, launched the House of Cards Campaign, to raise awareness of the housing insecurity facing millions of families in the UK. Indeed, according to the charity, more than 1.9 million households await social housing and an estimated 65,000 face repossession this year.

The full deck of cards – plus a 53rd card, an 8 of clubs, created by a member of the public – is on show at the Haunch of Venison Gallery in London from 24-28 September.

The competition for the 8 of clubs was won by Mauricio Oritz, 47, originally from Costa Rica, who has been living and working as an artist in London for over 25 years. He has collaborated with celebrities including Robert Plant and Jamie Oliver, but still works part-time as a waiter at art industry events to support his career.

Mauricio’s winning design – an etching of a hybrid species of beetle and octopus – is a metaphor for this dual life that aspiring artists lead, divided between their creativity and the need to support themselves through everyday jobs.

Go to Shelter House of Cards website