Artist's dolls' house protest at housing crisis

A Brighton artist will be taking part in an open house festival with a portable dolls' house as a protest at the cost-of-living crisis.

Bryony Devitt is putting her own spin on Brighton's Artists Open Houses festival, which sees 180 venues and homes open their doors to art and crafts enthusiasts.

Ms Devitt said as she cannot buy a house to take part, she will be wheeling around a portable dolls' house in protest.

"I thought I'll find a house that I can afford and I found a dolls' house," Ms Devitt said.

Ms Devitt, who grew up in Brighton, has always enjoyed the Artists Open Houses festival but felt "angry" she could not afford her own house to take part.

The artist asked organisers if she could take part with a portable house instead to show how her and her friends were struggling to buy homes.

Young people across the country are struggling to get on the property ladder.

Ms Devitt hopes the moveable artwork will illustrate the transient nature of renting.

"Your landlord might want the house back or you might have to move because they put up the rent too much," the artist said.

The average cost of rent in the UK rose by 9% in the 12 months to February this year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The miniature house will be part of the Independent Trail and will be touring parts of Brighton and Hove during the festival.

Brighton's Artists Open Houses festival starts on Saturday and will run every weekend until 27 May.

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