Modern Mercia Online Study Day

Alma Ramsey Hosking, Mother and Child, 1980, © Hosking Houses Trust

Online. Free to attend. Book a place to receive your link.

Join us for Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s first online study day. The day will comprise of a series of talks unpacking the themes and works of art in Modern Mercia, shining a light on the significance of post-war art & design in Coventry and Warwickshire. The study day provides the perfect introduction to the period for those yet to visit the exhibition and further context for those who have already been. No prior knowledge is necessary.. Please feel free to drop in for specific lectures, if you can’t attend the whole session.

Jane Simpkiss and Louise Campbell who curated the show will discuss The Making of Modern Mercia, why they wanted to do this exhibition and difficulties planning and curating in lockdown.

Renowned twentieth century art historian Alan Powers will be discussing the Myton Mural by Alan Sorrell in the context of mural painting in the region as well as looking at the fragile futures these artworks face.

Scholar Dawn Pereira will be discussing the innovative concrete murals produced by artist William Mitchell and the broad span of his work, from the Midlands to Hawaii, looking at his sculptural inspiration.

Sam Reich, grandson of Textile designer Tibor Reich and managing director of Tibor Ltd, will be discussing the relaunch of the Tibor brand, restoring it to its former glory.

A panel of representatives for the Twentieth Century Society will also be discussing their work with Coventry’s art and architecture and their fight to save its post-war heritage.