Meeting Steve Coel
I first met Steve Coel on the streets of Stirchley during the “Stirchley Observation Project” in 2024. I took his picture and we started talking. He mentioned his artist background, but I did not fully connect that he was interested in photography as well. We next met at the Tom Hicks exhibition at Birmingham City University and have since met on a regular basis at the PRISM photography talks at 1000 Trades in the Jewellery Quarter.
Steve Coel’s work is produced under the name ‘an 11.59 production’. He invited me to his studio in Stirchley to view examples of his artwork. I arrived early so that I could take a few pictures of Stirchley, then met Steve on the road bridge on the border of Stirchley and Bournville. Steve took me to his studio, which is behind the Attic Brewery. The old industrial estate houses several thriving businesses, the majority of which have artistic inclinations.
Imbue’s Workshop
On the way up to the second floor, we passed Imbue’s studio. This was a chance to meet the artist and see his workshop. I have written about Imbue’s work before, and I enjoy the combination of digital scanning with his thought-provoking vision of everyday life. After a look around his workplace, and the generous gift of one of the Imbue lucky rabbits (the plastic variety, not the gold ones), we went up to Steve’s studio.
Inside the 11.59 Production Studio
There are around ten artist spaces on the floor, and Steve gave a brief background to each one. His own studio held many fascinating paintings and pictures. Steve browsed through his back catalogue of pictures, and I enjoyed viewing his work, which combines deep, rich colours and textures. He has a wide-ranging back catalogue, examples of which are displayed on the ‘an 11.59 Production’ instagram account.
Steve is an artist first and foremost, but he is also an accomplished photographer. His recent pictures of the Selfridges building are excellent and formed the basis of a book cover for local artists. I enjoyed browsing through all the artwork and hearing Steve’s interpretation of how the different pieces of work came together. His artistic background allows him to push the boundaries of his work. Having a Welsh background means that many pictures have Welsh names, which adds intrigue to the interpretation of his work.
A chat over a cuppa
The afternoon finished with a cup of tea in the hot summer sun, on one of the wooden benches in the concrete Stirchley Triangle. We reflected about art, photography, Stirchley and life over a great cuppa, crafted by the Stirchley Spud Co.
Finally here are a few pictures of Stirchley taken during my visit to Steve Coel’s studio.
As always there is a chance to explore my previous blog entries and I include an account of my earlier visit to Stirchley.
