Begging near Covent Garden car park in Leamington by Josh King
For those prone to a bout of post-Christmas depression, the subject matter of several new exhibitions in Coventry and Warwickshire may not seem like the best antidote. However don’t be put off – the standard of work on show might actually cheer you up.
Author: Julie Chamberlain
Work hard to make an exhibition of yourself at the Mead
Today I had fun making an exhibition of myself. Lots of friends may think there’s nothing new there, but this time it was for real.
Workplace is the title of a new exhibition at the Mead Gallery at Warwick Arts Centre at the University of Warwick, featuring works by six artists or groups of artists, plus a few related photographic works, all related to the world of work.
As an extra feature, the Mead is inviting people to book in to use a desk space and computer for two-hour slots in the gallery, or book a space for a meeting, an offer I couldn’t refuse. Well how often do you get to be an actual part of an exhibition?!
Spectacular dramatic end to exhibition – kicked down by artist Aeneas Wilder
Picture of a kick-down at another gallery – but very similar to today’s event
WOW – stunning – spectacular. It was hard to think in more than single words as I watched the deafening end of Aeneas Wilder’s exhibition at the Mead gallery at Warwick Arts Centre.
Untitled #162 was a huge installation built entirely from small, identical lengths of wood in the gallery. It took the form of two rooms and a narrow corridor connecting them, several feet above head height. Wilder created this and his previous works with no fixings.
At the end of every exhibition he has a kick down – and attending it was the hottest ticket in town today, and an unforgettable sight.
Winter wonder exhibitions on show at London galleries
If you’re heading down to London any time soon there are a few exhibitions that are worth seeing and are varied enough for there to be something to suit anyone’s tastes.
I wasn’t excited at the thought of Bronze at the Royal Academy but it turned out to be a real winner. Featuring items made out of bronze dating back BC until the present day it delights with its scope, its variety of subject matter, its world-wide range of exhibits and the many uses they were put to.
From the decorative to the useful, the ceremonial, the religious and sculptural representations, they’re all here. My favourites include Buddhas, such as a late sixth century Buddha Shakyamuni ubn Abhaya-Mudra from India, to much more recent works by Brancusi and Giacometti.
Adie’s weird world of the imagination is transported to The Herbert
Strange creatures and cabinets of curiosities dominate the first solo exhibition by Coventry-based artist Adie Blundell.
The exhibition, entitled His Dark Materials, at The Herbert fills a room and is a strange mix of things, feeling like a look into the mind and obsessions of its creator.
Hearts Gang’s Handsome Gentlemen exhibition is a Coventry must-see
Sometimes you find fantastic gems in the most unlikely of places.
On an old industrial estate back from a row of pizza takeaways is the debut exhibition, Handsome Gentlemen, from a bunch of “Coventry creatives”, the Hearts Gang.
Officially the address is Unit 7 of Fargo Creative Village, off Far Gosford Street in Coventry. The exhibition is on from 2-8pm, and if you go after dark watch out for the trip hazards and careering vehicles on your way to find the Unit across a dark car park. But it’s worth it!
New exhibitions for Lanchester Gallery Projects and Roots in Coventry centre
It seems at the moment if there’s one gallery having an opening night in Coventry, then there’s two.
A few weeks ago it was the Mead and The Herbert, and the Herbert also clashed with the Coventry Transport Museum last week. Last night it was the turn of the Roots Gallery and Lanchester Gallery Projects to double date, but as they’re so close together it was possible to get to both, as quite a few of us proved, as familiar faces were spotted in both, quaffing a couple of glasses of wine.
First on my schedule was the LGP, which is staging On the Desperate And Long-Neglected Need For Small Events. Arriving a bit after 6.30pm, I found I’d missed this small event, though luckily it was repeated at 7pm.
Souren’s exhibition at Gallery 150 is a triumph over suffering
A life that promised riches but was then followed by the horrors of imprisonment lays behind the works of art on show now in Warwickshire.
Souren Mousavi’s exhibition at Gallery150 in Leamington features varied works focusing on the female form, her Persian heritage and the fight for freedom.
Two Coventry galleries offer chance to see work of artists as they start careers
You can see lots of work by young and newly starting out artists in Coventry at the moment – and at one of the exhibitions you can sit down and talk to the artists as you admire their work.
Students who have just finished their MA in Contemporary Art Practice or Contemporary Craft are exhibiting in the studio at The Herbert in Coventry city centre. Part of it includes a table where visitors are invited to sit down and join some of the artists either in an art activity – I was invited to embroider but decided it wasn’t me – or just have a cup of tea and a chat.
Coventry Cathedral exhibition throws spotlight on making of artworks
Geoffrey Clarke’s cross, now out of store and on display in the undercroft.
Coventry Cathedral its staging a special exhibition to draw attention to its wonderful artworks as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for its consecration.
The exhibition, Journey Into the Light, has been well put together, with 17 points of special interest highlighted around the cathedral, naming the artist behind that piece, or the thinking behind it by Basil Spence, the cathedral architect.
Private View II 