Paul: He is all smiles as he shares a pie with another homeless man several days before Christmas, 2023.

  • Image 1 of 27

A Visual Voice for the Homeless

John Simpson | United States

These images stand in silent condemnation of the notion espoused by some politicians and publishers that homelessness is an old and worn topic that does not deserve a second look. This is a short-sighted and privileged attitude.

The goal of this photographic exhibit is to bear witness in such a manner so as to infuriate or sadden or cause people to act – and to hear what the homeless are saying. These images are about fellow homeless human beings and our concern – or lack thereof – for them.

As W. Eugene Smith once said, “I try to take what voice I have and give it to those who don’t have one at all.”

While some individuals might think and/or say that images like these are yet another reminder of the homeless individuals amongst us, I would say they build upon past exhibits of the homeless as a way of giving a great voice to their need for help.

Homelessness is a growing and global issue. Here in the United States, cities like Los Angeles, San Jose, New York, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco and others are facing this issue and the challenges that surround it.

Here in Olympia, Washington (the state’s capital) I make images of the homeless in order to give them a voice in our otherwise non-caring society. To do this, I let the images come to me; I work with whomever is willing to allow me to photograph them; in many instances I sit and listen to them - to their pain and fear - and on the rare occasion their laughter.

Many of these individuals have suffered traumas that can only be described as horrific. There are mental health issues; there is drug use; there is poverty; and there is the grinding hopeless of a life without hope because it seems as though society as turned away from them.

To paraphrase Susan Sontag, most Americans can’t imagine how awful homelessness is … and yet how normal it has become in our society.

Ironically, I have also found that some of these individuals to be kinder and more aware than some of the housed individuals who don’t have to worry about being homeless.

The fact that I photograph the homeless has been questioned by some who think it is a waste of my time and energy, or worse that the issue is old news. I reject this notion, and those who think this should be ashamed of themselves.

These photographs are an attempt to speak up for the homeless because there are many in this society who will not.

As Dorothea Lange so eloquently stated, “Photography takes an instance out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

Stand still – and then reflect.

John Simpson

(253) 414-4678

jmsimpson1@gmail.com

Content loading...

Make Comment/View Comments