In July last year, we opened The Purpose of Light, Misan Harriman’s debut exhibition. Bringing together 120 photographs documenting protest movements around the world—including Palestine solidarity marches, Black Lives Matter demonstrations, trans rights protests, Grenfell commemorations, and MAGA rallies—the exhibition offered a powerful portrait of contemporary civic engagement.
Over its five-month run, we welcomed more than 11,000 visitors, hosted numerous talks and educational visits for schools, charities, and the wider public, and raised just over £25,000 for Save the Children. During that time, the gallery became something of a sanctuary, and the exhibition resonated deeply with many who encountered it.
As the world enters what feels like one of the most unstable periods many of us have lived through, the importance of community, conviction, and the courage to name injustice has only become more urgent. In recognition of this moment—and in response to the many messages we have received—we have decided to bring Misan’s work back to the gallery as a semi-permanent installation in our downstairs space.
This installation will run alongside our ongoing exhibition programme, with our next show to be announced shortly. It will feature a selection of works from the original exhibition, alongside 50 newly added images documenting recent protests and demonstrations worldwide, including the flotilla procession in Barcelona and anti-ICE marches in London.