This thought-provoking exhibition at the Museum of London challenged assumptions about refugees and explored the contributions they make to London. Visitors could listen to powerful personal stories and see objects, photographs, film and art that brought home tales of loss, adaptation and achievement. 

The museum contracted milo to make a number of thought provoking films using archive images, audio testimony and typographic quotations; all based around the themes of families, communities, world and London. For the main foyer as visitors enter the Museum we produced a short introductory piece which looked like a departure board. The names of the countries where the largest contingent of refugees originated became subtly replaced with nouns suggesting the reason for this flight, such as, persecution, war, poverty etc. 

From here we created a further 6 films by using a subtle blend of typographic animations and digital rostrum work. The Museum also asked so us to edit all the films into one larger 20 minute film.

Being a refugee is devastating and traumatic. Refugees face huge challenges when building new lives in London and their achievements are hard won. Yet they make enormous contributions to the capital. They help to shape the city we know today.

The Belonging Exhibition shared the voices, memories and successes of people who have found refuge in the capital. All have certain experiences and concerns in common, but each person’s story is unique. They offer different perspectives on being a refugee, on London, and on what it means to belong.

Most of the oral history material featured was collected by the Refugee Communities History Project.