The Big Issue celebrates 25 years with exhibition of magazine covers

The magazine has helped almost 100,00 homeless people
Amy Ashenden|Jessica King23 October 2016

To celebrate 25 years since the magazine began, photographs from The Big Issue are going on display at a new exhibition in Camden.

The magazine launched in 1991 with the aim of transforming the lives of London’s homeless through its ‘A hand up, not a hand out’ mantra.

Now, 25 years and 200 million copies later, photographs from its covers and classic moments in its production are displayed in a new gallery exhibition – including prints of Kanye West, Bowie and Arctic Monkeys.

‘Up from the Streets’ will also see limited edition work signed by the likes of Bryan Adams, Louise Haywood-Schiefer and Wendy Pye go on sale, with all proceeds going back to the magazine.

Editor of The Big Issue, Paul McNamee told London Live: “Like any magazine we put together something we hope people will want to read. It’s got a bit of social conscious but also a bit of wit.

“But the key thing is that the vendors – the homeless, dispossessed, and the poorest – buy the magazine from us for £1.25 and sell it for £2.50, and their earnings are that difference.”

Approximately 400 vendors work across London boroughs selling the magazine, which has helped almost 100,000 people since it began.

Rob, who used to sell The Big Issue, said: “I was down and out, had problems with drunk and drugs. If it wasn’t for The Big Issue I wouldn’t be here today.

“They gave you a bit more confidence and with people walking past you, they can talk to you – it’s not just about selling The Big Issue, it’s about having a conversation with someone.”

Magazine founder John Bird said: “Now what Theresa May has said in her letter to The Big Issue, celebrating our 25th birthday, is that she as a government of prevention.

The Big Issue celebrates 25 years since it first launched 
London Live

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If they’re going to be in prevention then they’re going to have to do something about those 30 per cent of the children who we fail, because they’re the people who are going to end up in 20 years’ time being Big Issue vendors.

“I don’t want people who are so dazed and confused by poverty that they really don’t know what to do next and they actually don’t have an exit out of poverty and we have to come along and do our best.

“But the best thing [to do] is to prevent that happening, rather than trying to find a cure.”

Up from the Streets runs at the Proud Camden gallery until October 30, 2016.

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