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Coventry University hosts Turner Prize-winning artist and plays pivotal role in landmark 10th British Art Show
Craig Ashley, Deputy Head of School at Coventry University’s School of Arts and Creative Industries
University news / Creative and Cultural Industries
Tuesday 06 October 2026
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Coventry University is playing a vital role in the 10th edition of British Art Show (BAS10) as the major cultural event comes to the city.
The university’s Delia Derbyshire building is hosting an array of work from leading artists, including 2024 Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur, who is exhibiting a new artwork specially commissioned for BAS10.
Supported by Art Fund, Peace and (2026) draws on the city’s status as a place of 'Peace and Reconciliation' following the 1940 Blitz attacks. Leaving the title deliberately unfinished, Kaur uses RMD scaffolding, courtroom benches, a postcard and a gold necklace to explore how we can live and transform within histories of destruction and renewal.
Taking place every five years, the British Art Show is developed and produced by Hayward Gallery Touring at London’s Southbank Centre. Titled A Chorus of Strangers, BAS10 is curated by renowned writer and curator Ekow Eshun.
The BAS10 exhibition is open to the public at the Delia Derbyshire Building, Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm and from now until 10th January 2027.
It is the largest and most significant recurring exhibition of contemporary art in the UK and following its time in Coventry, will move on to Swansea, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle Gateshead.
Other artists showing work in the Delia Derbyshire building include Precious Okoyomon, Liz Johnson Artur, Hannah Perry, Ufuoma Essi, Melanie Manchot and Joy Gerrard, while Julianknxx, a graduate of Coventry University, will be exhibiting work at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
The involvement of Jasleen Kaur in BAS10 is a real coup for the University and Coventry as a whole. Her artwork, which has been specially commissioned for this event with support from Art Fund, will sit at the heart of the Delia Derbyshire Building during the show. It will then tour the other cities taking part in BAS10, before coming back to the city permanently in about 18 months’ time.
All of the Coventry venues for the show are fantastic but what makes Delia Derbyshire special is that it is a live working space where creative subjects are taught and practised - this space and the people who use it are creating artworks, we’re not just about exhibiting, we’re a live education space where future Jasleen Kaurs are developing their ideas.
Craig Ashley, Deputy Head of School at Coventry University's School of Arts and Creative Industries
BAS10 also gives students the opportunity to gain vital hands-on experience with the major national exhibition, applying their learning and engaging directly with contemporary art, artists and audiences.
Students are playing a key role at BAS10 - having been involved in installing the artworks, they will be welcoming visitors and playing a professional role in the delivery of a major exhibition. Invigilating and installing exhibitions are key jobs within the creative industries sector that can lead to incredible careers.
Craig Ashley, Deputy Head of School at Coventry University’s School of Arts and Creative Industries
I think visitors to Delia Derbyshire will have their perceptions changed on what a university space like this should, could and can be used for.
BAS10 coming to Coventry strongly reflects the relationships formed between the partners in the City Centre Cultural Gateway project. Coventry City Council, Arts Council England, the British Council and CV Life are all investors in the project and their collaboration and partnership as the building progresses is already showing impact on the city with prestigious events like BAS10 and others to follow.
Shaun Hides Dean of the College of Arts & Society at Coventry University
Other venues in Coventry hosting artists are the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and the Mead Gallery at Warwick Arts Centre.
Find out more about Coventry University’s role in BAS10.
