A Collective spirit of defiance: the first week of our new exhibition Criminal

‘‘Taken together, their collective spirit of bricolaged defiance reads like an alternative design history of Britain…’’

These are the words of journalist Alice Kemp-Habib whose smart and powerful review of our new exhibition in World of Interiors highlights the contrasts, unexpected connections and moments of defiance that appear throughout our new exhibition Criminal: An Untold History of Homelessness, Resistance and Survival.

Visitors at Criminal exhibition May 2026

Criminal does not shy away from the hard truths.

Criminalisation of homelessness is hard wired into how councils, government departments & sadly some homelessness services operate. The exhibition shows how this evolved over hundreds of years. Legendary architectural critic Cath Slessor stated that show delivers a rage-making punch in the gut and awarded us four stars which we are delighted about.  

In the last ten years we have seen far too many examples of people criminalised just for trying to exist. We want to show the histories and stories people don’t often see but also show that there is hope.

Cath Slessor Review of Criminal, published on Mon 25 May 2026

Last week we welcomed hundreds of visitors, including visitors coming from as far as Vancouver and Tokyo. In some ways, this isn’t surprising since the many influences in the exhibition include those places. On the one hand Misako Ichimura and the Nora Collective of Tokyo have had their work shown as pioneering activists resisting criminalisation. On the other hand, much of the most important thinking on the science of trauma that shapes MoH’s work comes from Canada. We also had someone travel up from Glastonbury with the Flame of Hope to bless the site. Thanks so much to all who have made the first week special.

Criminal Opening Night Preview © Lucinda MacPherson

Cold Comfort / Kushti Shillow Installation by Gemma Lees Photocredit: Lucinda MacPherson

This brings us hope. In every part of the exhibition you also about learn from the legends who resisted both past and present and who have responded with creativity and compassion. Our commissioned artists Gemma Lees, Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives, 10Foot, Surfing Sofas and Matt Bonner have responded beautifully to - and influenced - the themes of the show and we are really grateful to be working with them. We are also grateful for our talented community and crew who have worked so hard to make the exhibition a reality.

Yes Loitering, Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives Photocredit: Lucinda MacPherson

The exhibition design itself, which we worked with the amazing Matt Bonner and Studio Boloz on, is a challenge to hostile architecture and disinformation. There are invitations to dwell, play and create analogue media. This makes the very act of visiting an act of compassion and collective resistance. In the last week we’ve seen visitors hang out in our hammock, play chess, enjoy ice creams, make zines and much more.

If you haven’t made it down, we hope you find some time to visit in the next 9 weeks. We are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (12.30pm - 4.30pm). Find out more.

Swing at the Criminal exhibition photocredit: Lydia Lange

10Foot’s Greater Villain photocredit: Lydia Lange (Limited editions of these prints are for sale at the exhibition)

Surfing Sofas Publishing House in action photocredit: Lucinda MacPherson

For those who want to look deeper into the legal aspects, MoH Co-directors Matt and Jess are also taking part in a free panel event hosted this week by Streets Kitchen Legal at Islington Town Hall on Thursday 29th May (6pm start) exploring why homelessness is still being criminalised now. There’s some big names in the legal world including Garden Court Chambers and Young Legal Aid Lawyers.

Criminal Opening Night Preview photocredit: Lucinda MacPherson