The Concept

Early in 2017, ten reclaimed front doors were hung across the streets of Bristol. The doors were hung in plain sight on the city streets, ignored by passers-by. Street-art culture adopted some of the sites, integrating them into graffiti artworks, but others were completely neglected from the limelight.

The project was orchestrated by conceptual artist, Beau. To Beau, a front door symbolises having a place to live – something which many people across the UK do not have access to. And this was exactly the point of the project, which he aptly named ‘Outdoors’ https://www.ayearoutdoors.com/.

“I wanted to challenge our perceptions of beauty and worth. Outdoors shows how we interact with the world around us.”

“There are almost twice as many people without a home than there was this time five years ago. This is happening right around us, yet we walk on past. I hope Outdoors will act as a catalyst for conversation. Across the UK, we’re experiencing many of the same problems, in different cities. Hopefully things like Outdoors will help bridge the growing gap between us all.”

The doors have now been removed, framed and are going on display in venues across the country. Rather than being behind gallery doors, the installation will be free to all that visit the area. Following the tour, the doors will be auctioned with 100% of profits raised bring donated to charities supporting people in critical need in the UK.

Beau has chosen The Connection at St Martin’s as one of the beneficiaries of the auction and is displaying the doors in The Courtyard at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Show runs from 15 October to 30 October 2018