Rough sleepers artwork unveiled at abbey

Artist Adrian Brooks came up with the idea while walking in Oxford

A new immersive art installation aimed at drawing attention to homelessness in Oxford has been unveiled.

The work at Dorchester Abbey consists of four large cardboard boxes and is called HOME-LESS.

It features stories of homeless people, as well as an alternative map of the city highlighting relevant organisations.

Artist Adrian Brooks, who created the piece alongside Tim Cook, said the work would enable people to "put themselves in the position of a homeless person".

The work includes a map of Oxford highlighting homelessness hotspots and relevant charities

Mr Brooks said his aim was summed up on a card he saw next to a rough sleeper that said "before you walk away, put yourself in my position".

Mr Cook, who designed the construction and assembly of the box installation, added: “Walking round Oxford we were shocked by the number of homeless people we saw and wanted to draw attention to their stories."

"Since starting the project, we have met some amazing people who have got themselves out of homelessness, as well as many who are helping them."

The charity Emmaus Oxford partnered with the artists to develop and produce the installation, with portraits and diaries of former homeless people who were supported by it featured.

Janet Mboulota was helped by Emmaus while she was homeless

Janet Mboulota, who has been homeless in the past and was helped by Emmaus, said: "Although my situation was a lot different to the artwork, what makes it similar is the fear."

Visitors are invited to enter the boxes for three minutes and then invited to write their thoughts in the comments book and post an image on social media.

HOME-LESS replaces the artwork CELL at the abbey, which was created by the same artists and was a life-size reconstruction of former Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's prison cell.

Oxford City Council has been asked to comment.