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Cardboard World - an inspiring 3D installation artistically explores the issues surrounding homelessness and helping to find a solution.

Following travels to Africa, particularly the South African townships, and a project with homeless people, Vincenzo was inspired to create 3D installations characterising just how houses could look made out of cardboard - a material often used by homeless people for shelter.

Vincenzo, 28 from Palermo, Sicily, is a Fine Art student at Swansea Metropolitan University and this will be the first time his work will be on public display. "It's a dream for me to have my work on show here at the National Waterfront Museum," he said. "My work aims to represent social and current issues and I feel it's important everyone has the opportunity to see it - people from all walks of life."

Speaking about the exhibition, Gallery Author, Andrew Deathe said: "This exhibition takes an alternative look at one of the problems of growing urban populations and issues around housing. Vincenzo uses an ironic artistic view to make us think about consumerism, our own homes and those less fortunate than ourselves. We are really pleased to be able to display his work and yet another interesting and different show as part of our temporary exhibitions programme."

Tim Davies, artist and Fine Art Course Director at the university, said: "Cardboard is a ubiquitous material of our age. It wraps both the objects of the ‘haves' but also becomes the home or shelter of the ‘have-nots'. Layers of discarded cardboard become insulation against wind, cold, fears and rain. Familiar as we are with seeing such layers in nocturnal doorways, we often forget the living souls within the shadows. Vincenzo has taken this everyday material, and with some irony, attempts to offer alternative constructions. He invites us, the viewer, to consider our position within this culture of consumption and dispossession."

When Vincenzo graduates next year he is hoping to continue his studies with a MA in Art Therapy, a course designed to explore the role of imagination in art.

The installation, which is in the main hall of the museum, will be on display until Sunday 16 August.

Press contact: Marie Szymonski (01792) 638970 or email marie.szymonski@museumwales.ac.uk