The arrival of blossom in Oozell’s Square, Birmingham, is always met with excitement and pleasure. This otherwise ordinary square, surrounded by three glass-fronted office blocks, is partially redeemed by the red brickwork of the Ikon Gallery. Once a school, the contemporary gallery now exhibits some of the most innovative modern artwork. However it is the contrasting brick architecture that sets off the character of the square against the new office blocks. Several popular restaurants front the surrounding buildings. For a brief period each year, however, the cherry trees transform the square into a canopy of pink.
Residents of Birmingham, photographers, and visitors flock to witness this picturesque display. The spectacle is notoriously short-lived; at best, the blossom remains in full bloom for two to three weeks. Events and informal gatherings are quickly organised to take advantage of its arrival. During the working week, local office workers extend their lunch breaks to spend time in the square. The interest is intense, and then, almost as quickly as it appears, the blossom fades. Petals fall to the ground and fresh green leaves take over.
Each year, like many other Birmingham photographers, I make a pilgrimage to the square. I have photographed the blossom over several seasons and often feel that I am competing with countless similar images. Despite this, I remain drawn to the scene and its fleeting beauty.
This year, a busy schedule meant that I feared missing the display altogether. Fortunately, an opportunity arose, accompanied by a forecast of morning sunshine. On arrival, I found the square being cleaned and quickly captured images of fallen blossom reflected in shallow pools of water. Once the cleaning was complete, I turned my attention to people pausing to admire the trees, ensuring that a sense of narrative was present in the photographs.
The trees nearest the Ikon Gallery had already begun to lose much of their blossom, with green shoots becoming more prominent. However, within the microclimate of the square, those in the south-west corner still retained their rich pink colour. My images range from close-up studies of individual blossoms to high-key, wider views of the square. The stone archway and reflections in the nearby water also feature prominently in the compositions of the blossom.
By the time this is read, the blossom will almost certainly have passed. Yet, as always, there is the promise of its return next year.
Please read my account of last year’s blossom display in my blog Oozell’s square blossoms
