An emotional and powerful journey through time and identity – that’s what awaits visitors to the Stories That Made Us exhibition in Coventry. But here’s where it gets controversial: while celebrating the rich heritage of South Asian communities, it boldly confronts the racism and struggles they’ve faced, both historically and today. Could this exhibition spark a much-needed conversation about the past—and present—of racial inequality in Britain?*
As you step into the recreated living room of curator and artist Hardish Virk, the air is thick with nostalgia. A stereo plays Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge, a Hindi anthem of friendship from the iconic film Sholay. Nearby, a bottle of Johnnie Walker and a red decanter sit alongside copies of Des Pardes, a Punjabi newspaper whose name, ‘home abroad,’ captures the essence of the immigrant experience. This intimate scene is just one of many in the immersive exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, tracing four decades of South Asian life in Britain.
And this is the part most people miss: Virk’s vision wasn’t just to showcase personal memories but to create a ‘living museum’ of South Asian stories, spanning generations and decades. ‘My family story is part of a tapestry of stories that exist throughout Coventry and beyond,’ he writes, ‘stories of migration, home, family, friendship, community, and culture.’
The exhibition begins at a border control installation, where footage of South Asian families arriving in the UK in the 1960s sets the stage. While this marks the start of the Virk family’s journey, the curator ensures visitors don’t forget the historical ties between Britain and South Asia—from the East India Company’s founding in 1600 to two centuries of colonial rule. Is this a reminder of Britain’s complex legacy, or a call to reckon with its impact on modern society?
From there, visitors are transported to Virk’s childhood home on St George’s Road. Pamphlets and books belonging to his late father, Harbhajan Singh Virk, highlight his anti-racism activism with the Indian Workers’ Association, the Indian Youth Association, and the UK’s Communist Party in the 1970s. One leaflet calls for protests after the racist murder of teenager Satnam Singh Gill in Coventry in 1981—a stark reminder of the challenges faced by South Asian communities.
Virk draws parallels between the past and present, noting recent religiously motivated attacks in the Midlands, including the rapes of Sikh women. ‘We’ve had conversations about migration, hotels, flags, and heightened racist attacks,’ he says. ‘The hostile environment my parents’ generation faced is the same one we’re talking about today.’ Are we repeating history, or can we learn from it?
Despite the ‘normalisation of racism’ in recent years, Virk emphasizes that his parents’ struggles weren’t in vain. ‘They set the foundation for what we’re doing now,’ he says. ‘There was a time when this exhibition wouldn’t have been possible.’
The recreation of Virk’s teenage bedroom offers a glimpse into the 1980s, blending posters of Michael Jackson and Madonna with a newspaper celebrating bhangra talent. ‘If you’re born in this country, you have this whole new, intersectional identity,’ Virk explains. ‘Friends, relationships, music, fashion, movies—I wanted to capture all of that.’
Another highlight is the radio studio space dedicated to Virk’s late mother, poet Jasvir Kang, who hosted a Punjabi show in the 1990s. Her poems often addressed domestic violence and abuse, and Virk ensures the exhibition honors the stories of South Asian women. ‘The narrative around South Asian women often reduces them to the kitchen or the family shop,’ he says. ‘But women like my mother challenged the status quo and played vital roles in society.’ Does this exhibition finally give these women the recognition they deserve?
The exhibition concludes with a reflection space, where visitors can process the challenging memories evoked by the stories on display. One note left by a visitor reads, ‘We had P*** graffitied on our car. It happened when I was young, and only now have I realized I’ve been carrying that around with me.’ Another describes the exhibition as ‘a cathartic, joyous, emotional, beautiful journey.’
Stories That Made Us: Roots, Resilience, Representation is more than an exhibition—it’s a call to remember, reflect, and act. What’s your take? Does this exhibition go far enough in addressing racial inequality, or is there more work to be done? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
On display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum until 25 May 2026.
