The Crisis Commission 2014

Major new works by leading contemporary artists including Martin Creed, Mark Wallinger, Gavin Turk, George Shaw, Bill Woodrow and Richard Long are to be exhibited as part of The Crisis Commission.

Exhibited alongside these celebrated artists will be works from people who have experienced homelessness – clients of homelessness charity Crisis – to create a unique combined reflection on the theme of ‘home’.

Taking part in the Crisis Commission are: Alastair Mackie, Ann Christopher, Ben Hendy, Bill Woodrow, Billy Childish, Chloe Le Tissier, Elaine Brown, Gavin Turk, George Shaw, Humphrey Ocean, Kim Yahya, Lottie Davis, Mark Wallinger, Martin Creed, Mat Chivers, Nika Neelova, Richard Woods and Richard Long.

After the exhibitions, the works will be sold at Christie’s, with all proceeds going to Crisis. The cost of commissioning has been met by lead sponsor GlaxoSmithKline.

Turner Prize winner Martin Creed said: “Because art can be anything, you don’t know what it is… A work of art is not a definable thing.

“Life and work is a desperate attempt to try to come to terms with all this stuff that comes out of you… the things you find yourself doing almost not within your control.”

George Shaw said: “When I was invited by Crisis to make a piece of work on the theme of ‘Home’ I felt a little like a workshy cheat because I've been circulating around the subject for the last 18 years or so. You could say that we all circulate around the idea of home throughout our life. With this in mind it was clear to me that I could only make a piece of work that told my own idea, my own story of what home means.”

Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “When you visit the art classes we run across the country you see that great art can come out of adversity, but also that adversity can be overcome through art. The funds raised from the Crisis Commission will help us continue to aid people overcome adversity and homelessness - not just through art but learning, education, housing and employment services.”