The walls of a Coventry art gallery and museum are to become a work of art when a new 'eye-catching' exhibition opens this summer. 

Work on Walls will see some of the walls at the city's Herbert Art Gallery & Museum transformed by contemporary artists, in response to the venue's own collections.

Exhibitions manager Dominic Bubb has commissioned artists to explore and be inspired by the Herbert's collections, and develop ideas for several of the galleries. 

The exhibition builds on a similar, successful exhibition back in the summer of 2020, titled Work on Windows where artists developed works that featured on the external windows of the museum.

Each of the eight artists chosen for Work on Walls will bring their unique identity and will, in the main, create a 'street art' feel to the galleries.

Four artists - Annatomix, Phill Blake, Scribblefiti and Window Artists - will bring colour and life to the walls of Gallery 1.1 at the Herbert.

Another artist, Jemima Graham, has been working with Art Riot, which is based at FarGo Village and supports neuro-diverse artists, to create wall hangings for Gallery 1.2 based on visits to Coventry Cathedral.

Similarly, Roo has worked with Escape Arts’ Stratford youth group, to develop street art based on what has inspired the group’s members from the Herbert’s collection.

The work of the first six artists in the Work on Walls exhibition will open on Friday, June 23, with a further two to follow before the start of the school summer holidays.

Roots, a regionally based artist, has been working with the Herbert’s learning team to help bring to life this year’s early years installation. It will include UK-based marine, wildlife and bird’s nest inspired installations.

Finally, Andy Council will take inspiration from Dippy the Dinosaur being based at the Herbert and from Coventry’s skyline and will produce a striking mural for Gallery 1.3 that will see famous city landmarks springing out from a colourful dinosaur.

Work on Walls shows at Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery & Museum from 23 June to 3 September. For further information, visit: theherbert.org