In spring 2017, the South London Gallery (SLG) invited Jessie Brennan to collaborate with residents of Pelican Estate on a project titled YOUR WORDS. Jessie spent time listening to residents' experiences which, in different ways, celebrate the value of public housing and speak to the broader challenges often faced by those on council estates: the stigmatisation of social housing tenants; the lack of maintenance and ‘managed decline’ by councils; the threat of demolition and redevelopment by policies that value private ownership over state-funded homes.

To mark the end of the project, WE ARE HERE has been created: a text installation on the roof of Heron House and a poster publication distributed back to residents, which documents some of the conversations, contributions and research developed over the course of the project. Read Jessie’s introductory text and some of the conversations between Jessie and Pelican residents, here.

 

We Are Here (2018), text installation (situated on the roof of Heron House), Pelican Estate.

I’m a chav and proud (2017), text in water-repellent spray (words by Jenny), temporarily sited on Pelican Estate. 

People come together to make change happen (2017), text in water-repellent spray (words by Arnold), temporarily sited on Pelican Estate.

We need council housing but it is disappearing before our eyes (2017), text in water-repellent spray (words by Susan), temporarily sited on Pelican Estate.