David Tovey is a formerly homeless artist, educator and activist who works in a range of media. He is a photographer, painter as well as an installation artist and performance-maker. David has exhibited internationally in locations such as Somerset House, Tate Modern and he is also the founder of the UK’s first One Festival of Homeless arts.

 

He speaks regularly at housing and homelessness events and teaches art to people experiencing homelessness at the Pilion Trust and Passage Day Centre. His Man on Bench performances have earned him significant acclaim and have taken place on the pavement of the Southbank and the halls of Tate Exchange. 

 

And in the words of Patrick Strudwick from The Economist: 'Tovey went from cooking for the Queen to rifling through bins for his supper. His is a startling story of endurance against the odds – and of a social safety net failing at every turn’