In 2022-23 Historic England commissioned several photographers to work with local communities to capture images representative of their local high streets. This formed part of the Picturing High Streets project. In September 2023, Historic England and Photoworks added a commission for an artist working in England to create new photographs of their local high street. As well as the artists photographing their high street, this commission supported the artists practice through mentoring with the Photoworks team and longer-term collaboration. Ayesha Jones was selected and worked in the Coventry Market and City Arcade. She documented the stall holders and their experience of working there ahead of the closure of the City Arcade in 2024. This image is one of a set of six produced as a result of this work. The photographer wrote the following text about this image: "The stall sells bits and bobs; hats, make up, clothes, gloves etc. The gentleman there said things have changed a lot over the years in the market, there are less customers and a lot more diversity. He then commented and said it is actually that diversity that has kept the market going. He has two stalls next to each other one selling hats and gloves and other bits and another selling beauty items, the stall selling beauty items use to be run by his wife but now he manages them both." 'Picturing England's High Streets' commission by Historic England and Photoworks.
This is part of the Volume: HEC01/128/01/08 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Ayesha Jones: Coventry; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/01 Picturing High Streets: Photographer Residencies; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Ayesha Jones
Creator of Archive: Jones, Ayesha
21st Century Market
Our website works best with the latest version of the browsers below, unfortunately your browser is not supported. Using an old browser means that some parts of our website might not work correctly.
