Monument to the Vanquished Peasant by Leah Gordon
Monument to the Vanquished Peasant is a solo exhibition by artist and writer Leah Gordon.
Monument to the Vanquished Peasant reflects on the lasting impact of the enclosure acts and loss of commons asking how histories of evictions, loss of rights, quashed rebellions and widespread displacement continue to shape the systems and politics we live with today.
The exhibition features the previous series The Commoners and Rural Rebels, as well as the newly commissioned chapter, Vagabonds, which includes constructed portraits, new photography and a suite of images made with Coventry allotment holders. A special display from celebrated author and image-collector Stephen Ellcock, as well as objects from the Museum of English Rural Life’s collection will contextualise this significant exhibition.
Commissioned by Meadow Arts, presented at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, in partnership with Coventry Biennial (3 October 2025 – 25 January 2026).
The Commoners were commissioned and supported by Meadow Arts and GRAIN Projects. Rural Rebels and Vagabonds were commissioned by Meadow Arts.
The fifth Coventry Biennial Obsessions, Possessions will take place from the 3 October 2025 – 25 January 2026, across Coventry and Warwickshire. Coventry Biennial 2025 is generously funded through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants.
