The Migration Museum in Lewisham Shopping Centre will soon be moving to central London in 2027. However, before the move, the museum still has exciting events lined up at its South London base.
The museum explores the movement of people to and from the UK throughout history, showcasing how migration has influenced individuals, communities, and nations. One of the ongoing exhibitions, All Our Stories – Migration and the Making of Britain, will run until December 20. This exhibition combines the museum’s work from the past decade with new stories and artwork that demonstrate how migration has impacted various aspects of society such as landscapes, cities, cultures, and beliefs.
One highlight of the exhibition is the Chart of Shame by Liz Gerard, a collection of national newspaper front pages on immigration. Gerard’s work sheds light on the media’s coverage of immigration over the years and how it has evolved. Through her bar chart of front pages, she highlights the increasing emphasis placed on immigration in the media, especially leading up to the EU referendum.
In addition to the Chart of Shame, the exhibition also features a diverse selection of photography, including historical images like British Asian children under a hoarding in Bradford in the 1980s. Visitors can also explore a reimagined airport departure lounge, a dress by Karen Arthur that serves as a form of activism, as well as various installations, drawings, music, and films.
Moreover, the museum is currently hosting a community-curated exhibition titled Inside/Outside and All In Between until December 19. This exhibition delves into the internal identity of migrants and the external challenges they face in settling and integrating into a new society. Artists working in various mediums, including film, photography, poetry, and painting, have contributed their responses to the exhibition themes, providing a platform for reflection and conversation.
The exhibition features works from over 130 submissions by artists with strong connections to Lewisham, with 22 selected for the initial staging. A second season of the exhibition is planned for Spring 2025, showcasing more of the selected artworks and continuing the dialogue on migration and integration in the local community. Through these exhibitions, the Migration Museum aims to spark meaningful conversations, encourage reflection, and gather diverse perspectives on the complex and multifaceted topic of migration.
