Remember me
Window Wonderland 2025, an alternative Christmas window exhibition curated by Pallas Citroen of The Bomb Factory Art Foundation, has been forced to close early on after three consecutive nights of vandalism at its Marylebone gallery site on January 9, 2026.
The exhibition, presented as a 24-hour public window display, opened on 12 December and was scheduled to run until 18 January. It was withdrawn on 9 January due to escalating damage and safety concerns. Artworks have been removed and the windows were boarded up over the weekend.
The show brought together painting, sculpture, installation and video exploring freedom of speech in the public realm, touching on themes including war, dissent, political polarisation, gender and sexuality8. Minor aggression was recorded early in the run, including spitting on several windows. Damage later escalated when two windows sustained deliberate impact chips believed to have been made with glass hammers.
The situation intensified over a three-night period culminating on 9 January. Windows displaying works by Peter Kennard and Fa Razavi were smashed using a tool described by the gallery as an ice axe. One window was destroyed outright and further spitting was documented across multiple displays.
Window for Palestine (2025), Peter Kennard
One installation composed of brightly coloured printed slogans referencing opposing political positions – including Brexit vs Remain, vegan vs carnivore, pro-life vs pro-choice, Israel vs Palestine, and other culturally polarised identities, was partially covered by a sticker featuring a Union flag and St George’s Cross, obscuring part of the display.
In a separate display, photographic works depicting hands holding protest placards and raised blackened palms were struck with a circular impact that shattered the window around the imagery. Radial cracks spread across the pane, interrupting visibility of the works.
Political symbolism was also left at the scene. A sticker featuring a Union flag and St George’s Cross was found on the window displaying work by the artist WOTW, while the message “FREE UK” was written on the window showing a work by Daniel Lismore.
Who Do You Support? Half-and-half Scarves Are for Wanker (2024) World of Wankers
Estimated damage to the building stands at £15,000. Several of the artists whose works were targeted are Muslim or have direct connections to Palestine, a context the gallery described as significant given the selective nature of the attacks.
Speaking to Window Wonderland’s intent, curator Pallas Citroen said the exhibition was conceived as “an ironic and political response to the festive window displays of high-end retail spaces” and as a test of “freedom of speech through visibility in public space.” Citroen described the attacks as “political intimidation,” adding: “Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democracy. We stand for inclusion, equality and diversity, and we will not be bowed by a small number of extremists.”
Artists affected also condemned the attack. Alison Jackson called the vandalism “disgraceful,” asking: “Why should right-wingers have the right to destroy other people’s voices?”
Be Andr said the damage “collapses listening into a single act of enforced silence,” while Fa Razavi noted: “The painting addresses freedom of speech. An attack on it says everything.” Commenting on the political themes of his own work, Peter Kennard said: “If art cannot deal with the inhumanity sweeping through the world, what is it for?”
The Patriot (2025), Daniel Lismore
Daniel Lismore, whose window was marked with the “FREE UK” message, described the incident as intimidation and said he believes it was linked to prior online threats. “This was not random,” he said. “This was intimidation. If anyone recognises the sticker or has information, I am offering a reward of a £10,000 artwork for each name provided that leads to a conviction.” He further alleged the harassment may be connected to supporters of Reform UK and the EDL, and stated that the Home Office is investigating.
On the first day of the exhibition, individuals identified as participants in a xenophobic march in London were observed photographing the building. It is not known whether this is linked to the later incidents. The Metropolitan Police are investigating and have confirmed CCTV footage is being reviewed
©2026 The Bomb Factory Art Foundation
James Marshall is a Scottish writer, curator and videographer/content creator based in London. James takes interest in art and artists which question or threaten institutional frameworks, looking forward to the future of reframing. In addition to writing, James regularly creates video content and artist interviews, providing firsthand glimpses into arts and creative projects, festivals and artists.
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