52 Weeks: Artists highlight Britain's housing crisis

Grayson Perry, Sir Peter Blake and Ben Eine are among 52 leading artists and designers who have joined forces to highlight Britain’s housing crisis.

Every week across Britain nearly 5,000 households face the nightmare of losing their home.

Homelessness and housing charity Shelter has persuaded a coterie of big names to create a piece of artwork inspired by each week of the year.

52 Weeks opens in London this week. The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the thousands of families struggling to keep a roof over their head.

Turner Prize winner Perry's contribution represents the week the BBC first screened its landmark documentary, Cathy Come Home, shortly before Shelter was founded in 1966.

“It’s a shocking reality that as a result of our housing crisis any one of us could lose their home. This exhibition aims to shine a light on this and raise important funds for Shelter’s work to help whoever’s next,” he said.

Graffiti artist Eine said: “I have chosen a week that was a particularly surreal one for me. The Prime Minister gave President Obama one of my artworks and suddenly my name was all over the news.

“This made me think about how quickly things can change, but not always for the better. Anyone can lose their home and find their life is turned upside down. By being part of this exhibition I hope to help Shelter raise awareness and money for their work to help those in housing need.”

Other contributors include Marc Quinn, Miles Aldridge, Sir Terence Conran, Barbara Hulanicki, Vic Reeves, Patrick Hughes, photographer Tom Hunter and artist Rob Ryan.

An online auction will accompany the exhibition, and collectors can bid for the artworks at shelter.org.uk/52weeks.

52 Weeks will be on display at 20 Hoxton Square Projects in London from Thursday 25 until Saturday 27 November.