A new Museum of Homelessness is putting down roots in London

MUSEUMS are the mirror of our societies. So much so that they are increasingly becoming veritable social spaces, where the collective takes precedence over the individual experience. In this context, a Museum of Homelessness will soon open its doors in London to help raise awareness about this social issue.

As concerns grow about the economic situation in the UK, many feel the need for urgent action. The cost of living crisis in the country is such that the housing charity Crisis and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh estimate that more than 66,000 more people in the UK will be homeless by 2024.

This worrying context makes the mission of the Museum of Homelessness (MoH) all the more important. Matthew and Jessica Turtle came up with the idea to launch this institution in 2015, in order to raise awareness about this complex sociopolitical phenomenon.

And Jessica Turtle has experienced this first-hand. "I was born to a homeless family and was homeless as a child and young adult," she told The Art Newspaper. "I went to work in the arts and carved out a decent career. But I would always hide that part of my past. Being working class in the arts is not easy.”

The museum that she has created with her husband aims to make the arts more accessible to people in poverty, while questioning preconceived ideas about homelessness. It will take up home next year at Manor House Lodge in Finsbury Park, North London, after having been temporarily hosted by the Tate Modern in London, the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow and the Manchester Art Gallery.

Doing more for homeless people

Matt Turtle is thrilled to see the MoH "put down roots" in Haringey. "Finsbury Park is the people’s park, with a proud and radical history. We are excited about transforming this precious site into a museum space like no other, a place where people can hear stories they won't hear anyone else and receive practical support when they need it," he said in a statement.

The MoH will host exhibitions, lectures and workshops developed by and for homeless people. It will also house artifacts from the daily lives of the homeless, as well as artworks created by artists Jacob V Joyce, Liv Wynter and Surfing Sofas. Legal information sessions on the right to housing will be held regularly, as well as the distribution of basic essentials.

While the museum will not open until spring 2023, Matt Turtle is encouraging other museums in the UK to open their doors to the homeless this winter. "We do think museums should be open to the homeless community; it’s something libraries do a great job of," he told The Art Newspaper. "Museums and galleries could do more."