The Houses of West End project came about as a way to admire and document the many houses of Kurilpa, Magandjin (West End, Brisbane), and their unique character.

I was born in a house in Spring Street. I went to West End State School and then shuffled further up the road to Brisbane State High. For uni, I went to the Queensland College of Art and then QUT. I lived in share houses in the area for the bulk of my twenties. I did an awful lot of growing up in this suburb. For these reasons, and many more, I hold the area very dear to my heart.

West End has changed (read: been gentrified).

As population increases, particularly in inner city areas, it is crucial that the concept of the high-rise apartment is not relied upon to solve housing problems. There needs to be community consultation and planning for all infrastructure. It cannot be assumed that apartment dwellers will not have cars or kids. They do. And this has associated impacts on schools, small streets, public transport, noise, light and air pollution, the availability of adequate green space, and the community as a whole.

The concerns of gentrification are not solely applicable to 4101, but it is something I've seen firsthand in my years of living in the suburb. Developers capitalising on the vibrant community of this suburb for their own financial gain is something I'm wary of. I think it's particularly problematic when developers create proposals that go against the local plan, but use their money, power and connections to undermine the law and locals' wishes.

Change is inevitable and I'm not suggesting that things stay exactly the same, however, the cost to the environment and the community as a result of these changes must be acknowledged and challenged. Especially so, if development is not necessary but is just for the sake of profit.

Change can be hard to take. For this reason, I started this project to celebrate the many different houses while they're still here. The illustrations serve partly as a coping mechanism, a time capsule of houses (starting first with the ones most special to me and eventually drawing the homes of friends & strangers, alike). I love sharing the history, stories, and life within these many special homes.