Banners to get people talking to go on show in Coventry - The Coventry Observer

Banners to get people talking to go on show in Coventry

Coventry Editorial 4th May, 2022   0

A COVENTRY banner installation showcasing topics local people are passionate about will be on display from Friday, May 13, at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.

Culture Coventry’s learning and engagement team invited communities, schools and others to take part in a project to create the banners between January until June.

Participants were set a brief of sharing a subject they were passionate about through a banner installation, with previous art skills not needed to take part.

The Coventry banner project’s aim was to to give a creative platform to people across the city.




John Gulson Primary School, Sitting Rooms of Culture, Coventry University and performance company EGO were among the communities to take part in the scheme.

The banners were created in workshops and people were able to continue to work on them from home, using materials such as markers, paint, glue, fabric and rubbish to help bring their vision to life.


One EGO performance helped a lady with restricted mobility to create her banner by following her instructions to the letter via a zoom call.

The communities took inspiration from Array Collective which won last year’s Turner Prize.

The prestigious arts competition was a highlight of the UK City of Culture celebrations and was aimed at encouraging and showcasing public debate around contemporary British art.

Array Collective’s winning installation was set in an imaginary illicit drinking den with a floating roof comprised of protest banners.

Community engagement officer for Culture Coventry Amanda Haran said: “The spirit of Array Collective coaxed the often quiet and unheard communities of Coventry and Warwickshire to share their passions, fears and hidden selves authentically, honestly and compassionately.

“The banners have nurtured the heritage of Coventry.

“I’ve been honoured to witness these stories come to life through a creative process.”

A spokesperson for John Gulson Primary School in Coventry added: “Our children really enjoyed themselves and the end products were really creative.

“It really brought the best out of our small focus group of EAL (English as a second language) pupils and proves language need not be a barrier.”

The artists behind the banners will be there on launch day and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic along between 11am and 2pm to discuss some of Culture Coventry’s future projects with them.

The artwork is free to see and will be on display at the museum until September 4.

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