Soho Housing has commissioned a new series of posters by London based multi-disciplinary artist, D J Roberts, to mark its 50th anniversary.
The eight posters, in mediums including watercolour, pencil and photography, depict life in Soho, from views of St Anne’s Church, to collages capturing ‘The Spirit of Soho’.
Soho Housing was founded in 1973, when a group of residents set out to improve housing conditions whilst protecting local people’s homes in Soho and Covent Garden from redevelopment.
By providing properties that locals can afford, the social landlords have sustained the area’s residential community and now own and manages almost 800 properties and 37 commercial premises in Soho and central London.
D J Roberts is a graduate of Central St Martins College of Art and Design and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
His practice includes painting, drawing, performance and public interventions, and his work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in private and public galleries, including the Southbank Centre and Tate Exchange.
Speaking about the new poster series, Barbara Brownlee, CEO of Soho Housing, said: “We are delighted to have D J mark our 50th anniversary celebrations in this way.
“Soho Housing exists because of the dedicated action of a few residents who fought to save their community from redevelopment 50 years ago.
“D J’s posters capture the spirit of this community – one that we are working to ensure is thriving in another 50 years from now.”
D J Roberts, artist behind the ‘Life in Soho’ posters, said: “I wanted these posters to convey both the quality of accommodation the Association provides, as well as the excitement of living in Soho.
“That means theatreland, Soho’s bars and delis, its bookshops and cinemas; to have this all within yards of your front door is incredibly special.”
Soho Housing will continue its 50th anniversary celebrations with a conference in June and its ‘Fifty for Fifty’ initiative launching later this summer.
‘Fifty for Fifty’ will see the association partner with local businesses to donate items for Soho Housing residents.
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