Homeless man becomes a sensation selling bags that include his art

A homeless man has become a sensation after selling bags that include his art.

Kevin World has sold more than 200 cotton bags so far in Birmingham, which are all uniquely designed with different puns.

There is not a fixed fee charged for the artwork but he asks for a “donation from the heart” and on average people pay £3.

Kevin became homeless five years ago due to a family tragedy.

Life on the streets has not been easy for him as he suffers from depression and anxiety but he says starting to draw less than a year ago has helped him cope.

He also decided to combine the need to save on plastic bags and help the environment with his artistic skills.

His bag selling business is called The Bag Issue, a pun on The Big Issue magazine which is also sold by street vendors.

The designs on the bags include gags like give peas a chance with a design of them picketing.

Read more:

• Homeless people dying at double the national rate in Birmingham

• Homeless man fined £60 by council for 'begging' given job following backlash

• Homeless man praised for saving lives of whole family when house went up in flames

The bags have done so well that people have told Kevin they are being resold on the internet for between £60-£80 which he says makes him feel proud but a little cheated.

Homeless charity, The Red Bag Co is trying to get Kevin his own stall to sell his work at the German Market which starts on November 7.

He normally sells them on the corner of Navigation Street, Birmingham.

Kevin said he was accepted on to the Housing First list in February but is still waiting to see a property.

IT consultant Greg Wright, 57, supplies Kevin with the cotton bags and had the idea of using his artistic ability to make a difference a month ago.

His bags are available are also on bagissue.org.