• Language

Ali Cherri: If you prick us, do we not bleed?

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP

Tel: 02476237521

The Madonna of the Cat, after Barocci (2022) by Ali Cherri

About

Ali Cherri presents a series of mixed media, sculptural installations which consider how histories of trauma can be explored through a response to museum and gallery collections.

The exhibition "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" started with research in the The National Gallery's archive, from which Cherri uncovered accounts of five National Gallery paintings that were vandalised while on display. He was struck by the public's highly emotional response to these attacks, finding that newspaper articles would describe the damages as if they were wounds inflicted on a living being – even referring to the Gallery's conservators as surgeons. He also noticed an overwhelming urge to 'heal', make good and hide the damage. This personification of artworks, and the suggestion that they can experience distress, is reflected in the exhibition's title, taken from Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". In response, Cherri presents a series of mixed media, sculptural installations that recall aspects of each painting and that imagine its life following the vandalism. They bring into question what Cherri calls the 'politics of visibility'; the decisions we make about how, and to what extent, we accept trauma within museums. By translating each damaged work into a series of objects, Cherri reminds us that we are never truly the same after experiencing violence.

Guide Prices

Free entry

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Guide Dogs Permitted

Opening Times

Sorry, this event has passed

Follow Us

What's nearby

  1. Coventry's hidden gem, St Mary's Guildhall, is one of the finest Guildhalls in the…

    0.1 miles away
  2. Offering authentic guided walks through over 1000 years of history of a city which is far…

    0.22 miles away
  3. The UK’s newest indoor water park is now open in the heart of Coventry.

    0.25 miles away
  1. The Coventry Transport Museum houses the largest publicly owned collection of British…

    0.32 miles away
  2. A wonderful meeting of medieval and modern design, Coventry Cathedral is an international…

    0.32 miles away
  3. In our landmark building, across the region, the UK and online, we will use theatre to…

    0.42 miles away
  4. Our 5* Coventry venue full of exciting escape rooms and challenging puzzles that will…

    0.51 miles away
  5. The Albany is proud of its home at the beautiful Art Deco theatre in the heart of…

    0.78 miles away
  6. The War Memorial Park covers 48.5 hectares and is situated in southern Coventry,…

    1.2 miles away
  7. Opened in 2004 to provide even more sports and leisure facilities for the people of…

    1.99 miles away
  8. A full sporting complex based in Coventry, this venue includes a 32,609-seater stadium…

    2.94 miles away
  9. Boasting a full gym, 25m swimming pool, squash courts, multi purpose halls, a climbing…

    3.3 miles away
  10. One of England’s most spectacular castle ruins in Warwickshire, with links to some major…

    5.41 miles away
  11. Arbury Estate is a complete example of early Gothic Revival architecture and is regarded…

    6.28 miles away
  12. The Royal Pump Rooms is a Grade II listed historic building, which offers a gracious and…

    8.37 miles away
  13. The National Conference Centre is the ideal venue for your next event. If you’re looking…

    8.86 miles away
Previous Next
WestMidlands

Don't miss