Philip, 49, moved to the UK from Cape Town at 19 and recently came to Kingston because he wanted a change of scenery. Despite nine years of homelessness, he genuinely enjoys it.
When I arrived at his corner of Kingston, behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, a cup of tea awaited him when he woke up. He thanked Patrick, the kitchen manager. Phil said: “They’re very nice to me. All the staff here at Gourmet Burger Kitchen are constantly bringing me smash patty burgers.”
Phil shared how he was building his shelter as temperatures were dropping. “It’s just a bed, but I sealed it with plastic boards I found. It reminded me of Japanese tea huts.”
When asked why he enjoys being homeless, Phil talked about his creativity. He makes art from street junk and plays music, saying: “I don’t beg; my creativity attracts wealth.” He values the connections he makes with people and loves playing music, emphasising how important performance is. People enjoy his art and music, and he doesn’t do it for money but for the joy it brings others.
However, he became deflated when talking about the trouble that playing music has caused him lately. Several pub managements claimed he was harassing customers despite people enjoying his performance. The police even warned him, saying he couldn’t play outside any licenced establishment.
Phil’s usual audience was people outside pubs, remaining on the street where he felt most at ease. However, after two months in Kingston, he has been barred from playing music in most places. The management and police said he couldn’t perform without a music license. “I’ll start playing, and people will enjoy it, but then management will come and tell me to stop,” he explained, clearly frustrated.
There are also challenges to being homeless and creating art as it’s all temporary. He tries to take pictures of the exhibitions he sets up, but “you also lose phones, so it all disappears into the ether. Nothing’s permanent.”
He opened up about how he’s still getting used to people giving him money and accepting it gracefully. “I believe in giving and receiving; I don’t believe in asking and taking, which is one reason why I don’t put a hat down,” he added.
“I engage with everyone because I love playing my music for everyone,” Phil said. Yet, he consciously avoids other homeless individuals. He noted that many struggle with addiction, focusing on raising money to support their habits.
When asked how Kingston University students could assist the homeless, he suggested blankets and clothing, especially with the cold approaching.
Phil mentioned wearing thermals and extra socks and potentially staying in a hotel provided by the council if temperatures drop below zero. The cold makes playing music challenging, but fingerless gloves help. “You get used to it. Hardship is part of life.”
In the future, Phil dreams of forming a band and sharing his music with a wider audience. However, he’s taking things one day at a time. The last time we spoke, he faced the threat of police moving him along, but he has become accustomed to packing his belongings into a trolley.
Despite these setbacks, he plans to stay in Kingston, so keep an eye out for him and say hello; he’d appreciate it.
By Camila Muiambo; originally published in print 28/10/24
Marcus Liu
Konstantinos Patas