Being Seen: In Art, Words and Dance – Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral invites you to experience Being Seen: In Art, Words and Dance — a moving exhibition and live performance event that brings together visual art, lived experience, dance, poetry, and testimony. Inspired by real stories of trauma and transformation, this project offers a deeply human look at resilience, compassion, and hope.

At the heart of Being Seen is an exhibition of paintings by Coventry-based artist Andy Farr. Over the past seven years, Andy has collaborated with survivors of trauma, translating their stories into powerful visual portraits that speak to both the pain and possibility of recovery.

Bringing the stories behind the paintings to life:

Personal Testimonies from participants Em, Mark, Chik, and Marissa

Premiere of “Transformative Pathways” – a dance piece by the Restless Movement Collective, inspired by Em’s journey and accompanied by an original score by Justine Hewson

Poems by Laura, read by Midlands actor Leonie Frazier. Laura's poems were the inspiration for paintings by Andy in 2019 and 2024

Video Installations featuring Skyban and Susana

Paul’s Tribute to his partner Elaine, an off-duty police officer killed in the Manchester Arena bombing, whose portrait Andy painted in 2024

Reflections from Andy Farr, Canon Kate Massey, and Jaime Richards on the importance of being seen

What People Are Saying?

"The exhibition will leave you feeling seen within our shared humanity” - Marissa Lambert, With-you.

“We believe dance speaks where words fall short” - Heather Davison, Restless Movement Collective.

“A ‘must see’ – a chance to expand your understanding through the universal language of art” - Kate Enters, Founder ArtCan

“The arts have an unequalled ability to touch our hearts and inspire connection between people. When the experience of trauma is so devastating that a someone’s life, their memories, even their sense of self is fractured, art offers a way to reclaim their story, help build understanding and bring healing” - Kate Massey, Canon for Arts and Reconciliation, Coventry Cathedral

Andy work has been supported by the Institute of Mental Health, MIND, Birth Trauma Association, With-you, Day One Trauma support, University of Nottingham, Nottingham CVS and Arts Council England. He has worked with people from diverse backgrounds whose lives have been impacted in many different ways.

Andy hopes that the exhibition will foster understanding and empathy and engender hope, presenting trauma not only as a source of suffering but also as an opportunity for growth and renewed purpose.

Host or Publisher Andy Farr