The Show Windows: Reflections

As part of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021, the Government Art Collection helped transform Coventry city centre's shop windows into a public museum.

Part of Coventry City of Culture 2021 and curated by Charlie Levine, The Show Windows exhibition series invited artists, architects, designers, makers and creatives to take over window displays in shops across Coventry city centre, encouraging shoppers, workers and tourists to peer inside.

The Show Windows: Reflections celebrated the post-war architecture of Coventry City Centre, and transformed Coventry City Arcade into a public museum, with artworks from national collections, including the Government Art Collection.

The display of artworks from the Government Art Collection was curated by Carriers of Hope, a local charity that provides support for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in the Coventry area, and community interest company Quiet Down There. Featuring artists including Hurvin Anderson, Rana Begum, Mahtab Hussain and Evelyn Williams, the exhibition explored experiences of travel, migration and home through photography, etching, paint and drawing.

After taking part in workshops to select the works of art on display, Radhika, Ping and Dan from Carriers of Hope gave the artworks alternative titles and explained the reasons they connected with them. See their unique interpretation below:

  • Image of Still Life with Artificial Flowers

    Still Life with Artificial Flowers

    Hurvin Anderson (1965 - )

    Good Luck and Good Health

    “This brings back memories. When I was younger and it was Chinese New Year we would lay the table with sweets in a special display on a white cloth. In Chinese culture red symbolises good luck and good fortune. Green symbolizes strength and health.” – Ping

  • Image of Hangars

    Hangars

    Julian Trevelyan (1910 - 1988)

    A Reminder

    “The first time I came to Coventry I only knew a little bit about its history. Before it was an industrial city with many munition factories. After the Second World War, the city was destroyed. When people arrive in Coventry they are interested in the history. This artwork is a reminder of the impact of war.” – Ping

  • Image of No.586 W Fold

    No.586 W Fold

    Rana Begum (1977 - )

    Speak the Same Language

    “Though we don’t all speak the same language we can relate to the colour, shape and feel of something. These sculptures speak to us in a way that goes beyond language, nationality, gender and race.”

    See all the sculptures by Rana Begum on display

  • Image of Consoling Friends II

    Consoling Friends II

    Evelyn Williams (1928 - 2012)

    Women screaming inside the bottle

    “These friends met in a different time. Not a happy time. They lost someone and they needed support. In Coventry many people need emotional support. Many women work at Carriers of Hope to help and offer support to other women. We provide a circle of support and wrap our arms around one another.”

  • Image of A Letter to an Unknown Person No.3

    A Letter to an Unknown Person No.3

    Rachel Lowe (1968 - )

    Drop the kids off, find a parking space…

    “You are free to see what you want to see. We have many pressures and stresses in life. Follow your heart and be free. Everyone needs a way to relax and release. This makes me feel free.” – Ping

  • Image of Displacement

    Displacement

    Mohammed Sami (1984 - )

    Connection Lost

    “We are out of place. We have lost our connection. We can see the socket, we can see the solution but we are displaced.”

  • Image of Red T-Shirt, Baseball Jacket, Car

    Red T-Shirt, Baseball Jacket, Car

    Mahtab Hussain (1981 - )

    We are all part of each other

    “Behind each person is a different story and a photo can tell a hundred stories. We wonder what he’s thinking about and his relationship with the person behind the camera? This image celebrates culture, what it means to be a contemporary Muslim man in Britain today. We have a global community in Coventry and we are all part of each other. There’s a piece of us in everyone.”

  • Image of Three Window Views

    Three Window Views

    Christine Wilkinson

    Open Your Window, Open Your Mind

    “Some people have a veil and they choose how much to reveal. I met a girl – 19 years old - two days back. Her parents moved to Coventry 10 years ago from India. She joined them and now her parents are asking her to get married. They want her to marry into the same culture, same religion. I said when you are in this country you need to come out of yourself. I told her ‘ask your parents for another two years and when you are 21 at least you will have more maturity.’ If you finish your studies, you can find a job. The girl has only lived here for two years and she’s learning English. It should be her choice. There is no choice. Back home girls go to mother tongue school and boys go to English school.” – Radhika

    The Show Windows: Reflections was co-produced in partnership by Coventry City of Culture Trust, Coventry Business Improvement District, Historic England and RIBA and SqW:Lab. The Show Windows: Reflections is funded by Arts Council England.

    The Show Windows: Reflections, Coventry City Arcade, CV1 3HW