The art organisation Garidell14 invited me to take part in a project taking place in La Cité de Refuge, a homeless shelter in Paris home to 350 people. The building, built by Le Corbusier, has a new extension especially dedicated to women.

I painted a portrait of Becca, a young woman who was homeless as a teenager. After being helped by a shelter in the UK she was able to find a way out through their football program. The wall had a light on the right hand side which I used to create the illusion of a match being lit. This reminded me of the tale of The Little Match Girl: a young girl found herself in the street on a cold night and lights matches to warm herself up, she sees comforting visions and hope in the flame.

“Glimmer of hope” – Zabou – 5x5m – Paris (13), France – 2020

Photo credit: Zabou