Abstract

My collage explores the white saviour complex, and how this shapes the role we play as designers. The white saviour complex refers to well- meaning acts of philanthropy that reduce areas in poverty to a theatre where skilled white people can act as the hero, while ignoring the systemic causes behind the problems in these areas.1 As Teju Cole points out, emotional validation is emphasised over transformative change.2 ‘Anti-Racism at SSoA: A Call to Action’ led me to realise the tendency of our designs to perpetuate white saviourism. Sheffield’s reputation as a “Social School of Architecture” encourages designs that aim to alleviate the problems of the marginalised, without a critical understanding of the issues we are tackling.

How to Cite:

Tay, R., (2022) “Shining a Spotlight on the Audience”, field 8(1), 35–38.