An exhibition by two artists has found new ways to focus on the legacy of post-war modernist architecture in Coventry, and both are fascinating in their separate ways.
Jo Gane and Caroline James, who met on the London College of Communication’s photography MA course, are exhibiting in Nostalgia for the Future (Past) at the Roots Gallery in Coventry city centre.
Coventry events
Jane and Louise Wilson’s beautiful and intriguing Kubrick-inspired work goes on show in Coventry
A film researched and then abandoned by legendary film director Stanley Kubrick is the basis for a new exhibition in Coventry.
Former Turner Prize nominated artists Jane and Louise Wilson’s film installation Unfolding the Aryan Papers is showing at the Herbert, as an addition to the Caught in the Crossfire exhibition about how artists deal with conflict and reconciliation.
Serious start to new year with Coventry and Warwickshire exhibitions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mini makes her mark with Coventry city centre exhibition
An exhibition of luscious pop-art influenced works by a Coventry-grown talent has gone on show in the city.
Mini Padam went to Foxford School then did a foundation year at Coventry University before heading off to follow her interests with a degree in graphic design and illustration followed by an MA in illustration at Camberwell College of Arts.
Now working on her own designs and teaching graphic design, illustration and photography in a college, she’s back in Coventry for a big show of her own.
She works in screen printing and digital illustration, and there are several clear themes and influences emerging. Ice cream vans pop up in several images, and the show, which is upstairs at Browns Independent Bar in Coventry city centre, is called Ice Cream and Synth.
However Mini says of the ice cream vans: “I just like the shape”, though the important role of an ice cream van in Assault on Precinct 13, is also important to her: “I’m obsessed with films and music. ” (more…)
Crime and closure
Not a good week in some ways for Coventry art world last week.
The Roots Gallery in Earl Street was broken into, and some electrical equipment used in two of the pieces of work was stolen.
The gallery had to close while police investigated and the council who own it were apparently going to put in extra security measure. However it’s not the first break in at the gallery – when it was just known as the glass showcase it was broken into a couple of years ago I think, and tools and other easily saleable items were stolen. You would think somewhere that is mostly glass-sided would put off burglars – but obviously not. Let’s hope this time the security measures work or it will limit what is used in exhibitions.
Emma O’Brien also announced she would be closing the Lock Gallery in the Canal Basin warehouse after a final exhibition in August.
Miriam’s flowers take form at Coventry’s Lock Gallery
Young artist Miriam Duffield is holding her first solo exhibition at the Lock Gallery at Coventry’s Canal Basin warehouse.
Miriam, aged 21, is from Hinckley and has just finished the second year of her Fine Art degree at De Montford University in Leicester. Her exhibition, Flowers as Forms, deconstructs flowers and plants to examine their form and colour in detail, or as the publicity for the exhibition reads: “Exploring the intricate forms and delicate shapes of flowers to make them more visually appealing to a contemporary viewer.”
Private View II 