My Work: Wayside Chapel Invisibility Suit

Wayside Chapel ‘Invisibility Suit’

Since 1964 the Wayside Chapel (WC) has cared for Sydney’s homeless, but 2008 was going to be their toughest winter yet, with increased interest rates, food and fuel prices increasing the numbers of homeless and cutting sharply into donations. To increase donations, they needed to raise public awareness – without any money for advertising.

We decided to focus on gaining media exposure by challenging high profile journalists to live as a homeless person in Sydney. We hand delivered each journalist a ‘invisibility suit’, which at first glance looked like the outfit of a superhero. On opening it, they discovered the truth.

We invited them to wear the outfit on the streets for 24 hours, then to report on the experience in the media.

WC volunteers got them into character and introduced them to long-term homeless people, staying with them to ensure their safety. The homeless people’s experiences became fertile ground for their articles.

This idea also won an AWARD. One of Australia’s most prestigious creative awards.