Monument to the Vanquished Peasant by Leah Gordon

Monument to the Vanquished Peasant is a solo exhibition by artist and writer Leah Gordon, commissioned by Meadow Arts and presented at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, in partnership with Coventry Biennial. 

This new major exhibition by artist and curator Leah Gordon explores the devastating impact of land enclosures on people and land across England. Through photography, montage and constructed images, it offers a radical reimagining of English history and society.

The exhibition is presented in four interwoven chapters: PART I | THE COMMONERS and PART II | RURAL REBELS, as well as the newly commissioned chapters, PART III | VAGABONDS, which includes constructed portraits, new photography and a suite of images made with Coventry allotment holders. THE WALLPAPERS drawn by artist Marg Duston and designed by Gordon, both versions represent the constellation of Hydra. The artworks are further contextualised by a special film presentation of images selected by the author and image collector Stephen Ellcock, as well as objects from the Museum of English Rural Life’s collection.

You can learn more about each chapter of the exhibition in depth on the project page or click the button below to download.

Monument to the Vanquished Peasant takes place at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (3 October 2025 – 25 January 2026).

The Common People book by Leah Gordon and Stephen Ellcock is now available to buy at The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum shop and online. Illustrated with 100 incredible colour images from a diverse range of artists of different eras, the book explores the enclosure of common land in England and the struggle over the centuries to regain access.

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 takes 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.

Opening Hours:
Monday: Closed (except bank holidays)
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm

Seasonal Closure:
24, 25 & 26 December and 1 January

Admission charges apply, visit the website for more information.