The Purpose of Light

Misan Harriman’s debut solo exhibition, The Purpose of Light, at Hope 93 in Fitzrovia is not just a showcase but a vivid testament to solidarity, dignity, and the transformative force of empathy. Across 110 striking photographs—spanning London, Lagos, Minneapolis, and Marseille—Harriman’s lens lingers on the lived realities of protestors, parents, and those whose courage propels history forward. The perfect exhibition for these times, if we do say so ourselves.

Called “the most talked about photographer of our times” by the London Evening Standard, Harriman’s influence is rooted in his ability to “hold [history] still, long enough for us to feel it”. As founder Aki Abiola of Hope 93 notes in a recent Guardian review, “Misan’s work captures something truly rare: the quiet, transformative power of real people making extraordinary change… Through his lens, we see the world not as it is framed in headlines, but as it lives in hearts and communities”.

Reviewers recognize that these images invite us into “an unfiltered, emotional landscape”—offering hope that “we can still do better than we have done” as he told seen.art. Misan himself describes his photography to the Guardian as a “form of protest,” insisting: “Light reveals truth—and my purpose has always been to honour those whose courage shapes our future”.

This exhibition is not about division, but togetherness. It channels the “quiet power of protest,” its bridge-building hope, and its insistence on the dignity of being seen. The Purpose of Light is an urgent call to empathy—inviting us to witness, remember, and take heart in the luminous possibility of change.

“The Purpose Of Light” by Misan Harriman, exhibits at Hope 93 Gallery from 10^th July – 18^th September. For more information, visit: www.hope93.com