Taking place from 6 October 2023 – 14 January 2024, ‘…like a short cut through the brambles’ presents the work of 15 different artists and groups and explores humankind’s relationship to the natural world.

Presenting in art galleries and historic buildings, the fourth Coventry Biennial investigates our relationship to the natural world around us. The programme brilliantly illuminates avenues for cultural engagement, offering exhibitions, events, and renewed opportunities for participation to UK audiences.

The chosen artists cover a wide range of themes and mediums, spanning from portraiture and sculptural installations to the innovative realm of urban gardens. Midlands-based Janet Tryner, Jo Gane, Paul Lemmon, and Ania Bas are joined by international artists Dinh Q. Lê, A History of Frogs, Can Altay and Clémence Lollia Hilaire amongst others.

‘…like a short cut through the brambles’ takes its title from a line by Coventry-based poet, Antony Owen, suggesting the risk and excitement inherent in the act of exploration. Visitors will be invited to engage with thought-provoking enquiries about belonging, protest, and survival in a complex world.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Coventry’s waterways, attend creative writing workshops and share their ideas on what the future of the city may look like through collaborative art-pieces. Further highlights include a film screening by a Turner Prize nominated artist, guided tours on foot and by bike, and arts-and-crafts workshops. The events programme primarily operates on a “Pay What You Can” basis. This allows for free access to tickets while also enabling audiences to contribute based on their individual capacities.