A short photographic series in the city of Coventry, England, filmed on Ilford black and white 35mm film. The series captures some of the sculptural architecture of the city, including the Frank Whittle Arches at the Coventry Transport Museum, as well as the forms found in the old cathedral.

The city had a population of just over 300,000 in 2004, making it the 11th largest city in the United Kingdom. Possibly most famous for the story of Lady Godiva from the 11th century, the city has a rich history back to the medieval period. As a centre of industry by the 20th century, it became a target of the Luftwaffe leading to much of the medieval core being destroyed in the blitz, and many bombs that were only discovered later in the 20th and 21st centuries. Miraculously some of the centre survived, including the spire of the old 14th century Coventry Cathedral, a landmark within the city. A new cathedral was built alongside the old by Sir Basil Spence in 1962, both cathedrals being opposite Coventry University. The city’s association with transport is also strong with an industry evolving from a centre of engineering, initially with bicycle manufacture leading to motor powered transport, being the home of automotive marks such as Jaguar and Rover, but also over a hundred less known and exotic marques, unfortunately most ending up redundant throughout various economic downturns within the United Kingdom during the 20th Century.

Overpass

View of a car passing under an overpass

New Cathedral

Window detail in Spencer's Cathedral, allowing daylight to diffuse and illuminate the main space with soft shadows.

Gothic Window

Gothic window looking onto some of Coventry's 20th century development.

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The two spires of the new and old cathedrals viewed from a square forming part of the Phoenix Initiative under completion at the same time as this photographic series.

Whittle Arches Detail

Detail showing the Whittle Arches, designed under a scheme by MacCormac Jamieson Prichard, architects involved with the Phoenix Initiative.

Glass Bridge

Glass Bridge at the corner of the Coventry Transport Museum, forming a strange form that curves in on itself to achieve a greater elevation.

Whittle Arches and Cathedral Spires

Whittle Arches with the spires of the cathedrals visible in the background.

Whittle Arches

Whittle Arches visible from a street at the centre of two new apartment blocks, as part of the Phoenix Initiative regeneration project.

Leaf and Cobbles

Autumn leaf on the cobbled Priory Row, creating interesting textures in monochrome.