Art exhibition: John Roper, “And the Coronation will be Televised”

A photography exhibition ‘And the Coronation will be Televised’ by John Roper, is on display at the Tavistock Centre until Thursday 5 February 2026.

John’s exhibition looks at how television images shape what we think is important. He photographs TV screens up close and from odd angles, then turns those photos into slow, careful oil paintings. The paintings shift the perspective, making small things feel large, and letting us see the edges and margins of what is shown on screen.

Having studied fine art at the then Ravensbourne College in the 1980s, followed by a MA at Goldsmiths University, John has displayed his work at the Mall Galleries and Riverside Studios. After working as a carpenter for about 30 years, he returned to painting in 2023 and now makes paintings that respond to photography.

This exhibition is a chance to see how art can make us think about media and memory. It mixes photography and painting, and it shows how an artist can use everyday images; like a TV screen: to make new, thoughtful art.

Art at the Tavistock and Portman

Art is an important feature of the Tavistock and Portman. We believe that the artworks in our buildings help to humanise what is essentially a clinical space, making it more friendly and welcoming. The arts can make a powerful contribution to health and well-being for both physical and mental health. Research has demonstrated the benefits of the arts in healthcare in hospitals and other healthcare setting and a Department of Health working group on the impact of arts on health found that the arts have ‘a clear contribution to make and offer major opportunities in the delivery of better health, wellbeing and improved experience for patients, service users and staff alike’.