Celebrate South Asian Stories: Pop-Up Art & Memories in Coventry!

The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry is hosting a unique series of pop-up events called Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation. This exhibition is designed to celebrate the heritage and experiences of South Asian communities in the city. Running until 25 May, the event invites local residents to contribute their own memories, photographs, artwork, and oral histories. Since opening in November, the exhibition has collected over 300 handwritten stories from visitors. These stories cover topics like migration, racism, and the feeling of belonging in a new place.

Next week, from Monday to Thursday, the gallery will hold special pop-up events under the theme Our Stories and Heritage. The week will start with a poetry workshop, followed by a spoken-word performance and a community open mic event. On Tuesday, visitors will have the chance to record their own oral histories with Coventry Archives. Other activities and workshops will continue throughout the week, giving everyone a chance to participate and share their experiences. The exhibition features a wall filled with messages from visitors, creating a timeline of memories and stories that reflect the community’s journey.

The project was created by Coventry artist and curator Hardish Virk. He tells the story of his own family’s journey from 1968 to 2010 using immersive rooms, oral histories, film, music, and a 410-year timeline of South Asian and British history. Virk says that while the exhibition is based on his family’s story, many people have found connections to their own lives. He believes these pop-up events give more people the opportunity to add their voices and perspectives. Virk also notes that the exhibition highlights the important role South Asian communities have played in shaping Coventry. He has received feedback about the challenges faced by earlier generations, such as racism and divisive language, but also about the strength that comes from unity. The exhibition encourages visitors to see themselves as part of the city’s story and to celebrate the diversity that makes Coventry unique.