SPACE AND PLACE - FROM COVENTRY TO VOLGOGRAD
This is a digital exhibition of artwork produced as a result of a dialogue and collaboration between Coventry based artist, Sylvia Theuri and a resident in Volgograd, Russia. Neither the artist nor the Volgograd resident have ever met in person before.
The initial connection between Coventry, UK and Volgograd, Russia is that they are twin cities. In 1944 local women in Coventry sent messages of hope to women in Volgorad (although the city was called Stalingrad at the time), as both cities had experienced the devastation of the Second World War. As a result of this a friendship was established between the cities, and Coventry became the first city to ever be twinned with another city. It is now 75 years since the initial link was made, and artist Sylvia Theuri has created a new link with a woman from Volgograd using both traditional post and social media.
In November 2018 Sylvia began physically sending postcards depicting Spon End, Coventry to various cities around the world which are twinned with Coventry. Volgograd being one of them. In December 2018 she received a response via Instagram from a Volgograd resident who had received one of her postcards, and there began the dialogue and collaboration between the two women. This led to the Volgograd resident sending Sylvia two images of locations (Panorama Museum - Battle of Stalingrad and Babetta Cafe) that she considers to be her “third place”. Third place has been defined by Ray Oldenburg as somewhere outside of one’s home, where one can meet people, and feel safe and connected. Sylvia then created artwork inspired by Panorama Museum - Battle of Stalingrad and Babetta Cafe. This digital exhibition showcases the process and final artwork created.
The work in this exhibition was created during a 9 week artist residency. The residency was made possible by Talking Birds, as part of their Nest Residency Programme supported by Arts Council England.
Please explore the exhibition and leave comments using the contact section of the website.