On the Benefit Life. Manuela Henao, photographer

The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to establish a social security system. The years following the Second World War saw the emergence of the British welfare state as a response to the poverty and precarious economic circumstances left after the war. However, from the 70’s onwards the welfare state has been the focus of heated political debate and has suffered extensive budget cuts.

One of the main arguments against the welfare system is that it creates a dependency culture amongst those who use it, maintaining precarious situations rather than encouraging people to move forward and improve their lifestyles.

This series of images shows the material reality inhabited by those living on the breadline. These images aim to convey the deeper realities of marginalisation and disenfranchisement that these people experience. The images focus in on the objects and living spaces as descriptors of the person who forms part of a socio-political frame; the final portrait is a subtle composition that allows the viewer's prejudices and empathy towards the subject to come into play.

EXHIBITIONS

“On the Benefit Life”, Postgraduate final show, London College of Communication, London, UK.
“On the Benefit Life”, 13/13 Collective, Dreamspace Gallery, London, UK.