A FORGOTTEN part of Coventry and Warwickshire’s heritage is being given its time in the spotlight at a major City of Culture exhibition.
Modern Mercia: Art and design in post-war Coventry and Warwickshire, 1945-1970, is showcasing the best of Coventry and Warwickshire’s post-war creativity as part of the University of Warwick’s Resonate festival.
Professor Louise Campbell said: “Modern Mercia has been curated with a view to encouraging people to reflect on an era of art, design and creativity that could soon be lost to redevelopment, and represents a vital but often overlooked chapter in Coventry’s history.
“The exhibition showcases the surge of creativity which took place in the Midlands after World War Two.
“It reveals the optimism and growing affluence of this area and shows how it underpinned artistic experiment during this period.”
The wide-ranging works have been assembled at the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum thanks to a collaboration across a number of local collections including The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry Cathedral, the University of Warwick and private lenders.
The exhibition, which has been curated by Jane Simpkiss, Visual Art Curator at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, and Louise Campbell, Professor Emerita of History of Art at the University of Warwick, is free to attend and will run until Sunday, September 19.
Professor Campbell added:“As well as the rebuilding of Coventry, it will also detail the emergence of Stratford-upon-Avon as a cultural centre, and the growth of the Midlands as a prosperous manufacturing centre.
“Not only is it for locals throughout Coventry and Warwickshire to appreciate, it is also fascinating prospect for students and secondary school age pupils, who will have the chance to see the art left behind by their predecessors across the city’s colleges and institutions more than half a century ago.”
Visit warwick.ac.uk/about/cityofculture/news/modern-mercia for more information.
