Photographer and filmmaker Misan Harriman has opened a permanent installation titled 'The Purpose of Light' at London's Hope 93 gallery. The exhibition features over 100 black-and-white photographs taken over seven years at protests in the UK, US, and South Africa, including demonstrations related to Black Lives Matter, Gaza, and other social justice movements. The project debuted as a solo show last summer and, due to significant public response, has now been established as a long-term fixture with support from private collectors.
The exhibition matters as a significant artistic document of contemporary social upheaval and solidarity. Harriman positions the work as a duty to reflect the times, capturing the communal impulse to protest during a period of rising intolerance. The show has resonated deeply with visitors, described as a 'sanctuary,' highlighting art's role in providing mental support and fostering a sense of shared humanity amidst global tensions. Harriman's use of his high-fashion photography skills to document street protests bridges commercial and socially engaged artistic practices.