LAURA GAGGERO & MARTA MONTAÑA GÓMEZ
BA Photojournalism & Documentary Photography, LCC
Portraits of London’s Rent Crisis, 2023
Photography, text
With incomes that a few years back would have granted a comfortable life, renters in London are now forced to move out and pay at least one-third of their wages for a room in a shared house, move further out of London, or even leave the UK. Despite initial falls during COVID-19, average rents have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels, making rental affordability the worst in over a decade.
People born outside the UK make up 38% of London, the worst affected area by the cost-ofliving crisis. This collaborative project takes a look at some of these migrants who came here before COVID-19 to study and work and whose mental health and economic stability have been overlooked and shaken mercilessly. With this project, we aim to amp up the conversation and call for collective action towards a more equitable and welcoming city.
Artist Bios
Laura Gaggero is an Italian photographer and visual artist based in London. She graduated in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography from the University of the Arts London (LCC) in 2021. She now works as a freelance photographer and photojournalist, often focusing her practice on social issues and inequality.
Marta Montaña is a Spanish photographer based in London. She graduated with a BA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at UAL in 2021 and is now a picture editor for the Wider Image at Reuters, and a freelance photojournalist covering news and social issues in both Spain and London.
@martamontanag
https://martamontana.com/
@laura.gaggero
https://lauragaggero.com/