If you believe art should stir emotions and provoke important conversations, then Filling the Gaps, a new exhibition by artist Michelle Baharier, is one you shouldn’t miss. Opening at Turf in Croydon, London, from 3–6 December 2025, this is a first of a series of art day events presenting a commissioned collection of portraits for London Transport Museums, which turns the spotlight on disability rights, revealing the barriers many face simply getting around our cities.
Cities are meant to connect people
But what if the city itself is built in a way that excludes some? Through striking portraits of disability-rights activists, Baharier puts human faces on issues that are often invisible: lack of step-free access, inconsistent support services, inaccessible planning tools, and more.
As most of Baharier’s projects, this exhibition doesn’t shy away from the discomfort. Instead, it invites empathy, understanding and awareness.
Supported by the Arts Council England, Filling the Gaps honours activists whose decades-long fight for equality and access have already reshaped parts of public infrastructure. It also underlines how far there still is to go.
Art That Invites Participation
What sets this exhibition apart is its participatory spirit. Visitors can become part of it. From 2–4 pm each day, guests are invited to sit for a portrait by the artist. Prefer to draw? Bring a sketchbook and sketch alongside Michelle. Every contributed drawing will be displayed at the venue, transforming the collection into a living, community-driven installation.
This interactivity helps underscore one of the exhibition’s core ideas: accessibility isn’t just about ramps, lifts or legislation. It’s about community, visibility, changing perceptions and shared responsibility.
More Than Art, Filling the Gaps is s Call to Action
Opening on 3 December, which marks International Disabled Person’s Day, the timing of Filling the Gaps is deliberate. The exhibition harnesses the spirit of the day, amplifying voices that are often marginalised. It invites reflection around access, equity, and social justice in a way that feels deeply personal.
In its blend of portraiture, activism, and participatory art, Filling the Gaps challenges the viewer to reconsider what “accessibility” really means. It asks: who gets left out when we design cities? And what can we do about it as individuals, as communities, as societies?
Whether you visit to admire the portraits, contribute your own sketch, or simply to pause and reflect, this exhibition is a meaningful, moving, and timely experience.
Don’t miss Filling the Gaps at Turf from 3–6 December, it will make you think, feel, and act.
Where and When to Visit
Venue: Turf projects, in the project space
Whitgift Centre, 46-47 Trinity Court, Croydon CR0 1UQ
Dates: 3–6 December
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Admission: Free
