Exploring creativity helps us have a clear mind and develop new skills. We all need to connect with our creative side to thrive; but it can be challenging to do so for people in poverty because of barriers like having less time, money and confidence.

Ruth is an activist with lived experience of poverty who participated in ATD’s photography exhibition ‘The Power of Creativity’ in 2023. We recently displayed the photos again in Camden, and Ruth (at right in the photo above) spoke at the launch event about the barriers to people in poverty who want to pursue art, and about the importance of authentic art from people in poverty being seen and heard. Here is what she said:

“From a young age, I have been very interested in creative things, but due to living in poverty, I wasn’t able to explore that side of me. Art is expensive. You need materials, you might want to do art classes to expand your skills. But when you live in poverty, you see those things as a luxury, something unattainable. You have to prioritise paying for your food and electricity.
But it’s not only about not having the money for materials and classes, it’s also a lack of time and a lack of confidence.

Constantly worrying

“When you live in poverty, you don’t have time for anything. You are constantly worrying about money, about getting a job, about going to health appointments. It’s a constant fight.

“When you live in poverty, you always feel judged and looked at differently because of it. You don’t feel good about yourself. You don’t feel confident. How can I feel confident about doing art?

“So when ATD Fourth World gave me the opportunity to explore my creative side through photography, I didn’t think twice. I have always been interested in photography, but I never had the inspiration to take pictures. This project gave me a reason, a purpose.

“I am very passionate about the fight against poverty, so expressing that through photography was inspiring.

“I have always struggled to understand my emotions and express them. But through photography, I found a way to express my emotions in a way that made me understand them better, something I couldn’t do through words.”

– Ruth