I entered the first ever Eden Project Wildflower Photographer of the Year competition, run in partnership with Canary Wharf Group, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Wildflower Centre (NWC). Imagine my delight when my image won first place in the Amateur Photographer category — plus a generous prize that allowed me to upgrade my Canon camera!
The photo was taken in Kinver in the summer of 2024. It had already done well in the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition, where it placed second. So I was thrilled to be able to submit the same image to the Eden Project competition.
My one concern is that the version shared on social media had the wrong colour balance — it looked dull and lifeless. I hope this will be corrected, as it has taken a little of the shine off the achievement.
Everywhere I look, there are signs. There are warning signs, diversion signs, public right of way signs. They puncture the landscape, each one a reminder that HS2 is reshaping the countryside in ways both visible and invisible.
HS2 make sure you stay on the official footpath.
Since my last visit, the HS2 works have progressed. The path where the trains will run is now clearly defined, bridges have risen across the fields, and yet the disruption continues. Earthmovers, fences, and machinery still dominate what was once quiet farmland and woodland.
One of the major bridges on this part of the HS2 track. A sign indicates where to go.Concrete pipes ready to be laid.Metal fences protect the HS2 works.
As I walked along the public path, I met Tony and Louise, out for a weekend stroll. We chatted about the project. Tony focussed on the endless metal fencing, the slow pace of construction, and the sense that someone, somewhere, must be profiting handsomely from all this upheaval. Then Bill passed by, shaking his head. He said that HS2 was “Disastrous for the countryside.” He told me how he’d recently brought his daughter to see the area near Sixteen Acre Wood, and how shocked she had been by the scale of the destruction.
Tony and Louise pictured by the steel HS2 fences.Bill looking out on HS2 path that has destroyed the farmers field.
What strikes me most, though, is the sheer number of signs. They seem to compete with the landscape itself for attention. The public path winds past a tired-looking environmental pond. Then further down there is the original pond still clinging to its place amid the diggers and debris. The woodland here is sparse. Trees have been toppled, stripped back and scarred, but still they hang on waiting for the construction to finish.
Pedestrian lights control the construction traffic.Beware heavy plants.A new pond is out of bounds.
Walking across the path of the future train tracks. I took in the scene. The HS2 line is still dirt for now, awaiting concrete and steel. Machinery parts, pipes, fencing, and plastic weights litter the area. It is difficult to imagine what this place will look like when everything is complete. Will nature ever fully reclaim it?
The high speed train track is just dirt and compacted soil. The tracks await.
Tony asked me what I thought of it all. His question caught me off guard. The truth is, I am somewhere in the middle rather like the metal fence that separates one side from the other. I am dismayed at how easily nature is cast aside, yet I cannot deny the appeal of improved transport and connectivity. Still, the pace and the cost weigh heavily on any sense of progress.
An autumnal path leads to the HS2 works.A bleaker path takes you over the HS2 track.
Taken in 2011, it shows a dark, dense woodland. The scene is peaceful and the field is ploughed ready for planting. This is an image from another age.
Progress, it seems, may be efficient but it is rarely kind.
This is the latest in a long line of Blogs about the HS2 construction taking place around 16 Acre Wood near Berkswell. If you found this interesting then please read my last blog which will then lead you along to all the others on this subject.
I travelled to Worcester in search of streets with burst of colour, even though the weather forecast looked less than promising. Accompanied by my daughter and grandson, we set off to explore the city’s urban art scene during the Worcester Paint Festival. From hidden alleyways to large murals, Worcester proved to be a colourful place, full of surprises for anyone who loves street art and photography.
Careful of paint splashes.
Our first stop was the CrownGate Shopping Centre, which served as the temporary headquarters for the festival. Friendly faces greeted us. We chatted about the Paint Festival and where to see the artwork. Printed maps were available and proved to be excellent as they were clear, detailed, and very useful alongside the online version. A great reference source that set us up for the day.
From the shopping centre, we headed to Angel Place street market, where several art murals caught our attention. The atmosphere of the market combined with the colourful artworks made for perfect photo opportunities. I particularly enjoy capturing street art with people passing by, as it adds a human element that brings both the artwork and the photography to life.
Next, we sought out Inkie’s work at the Royal Porcelain Works. His colourful mural decorated the gate leading to the old printing works and stood out vividly against its surroundings. We then made our way back into the city centre, passing a series of murals, some finished, others still in progress. Friar Street is one of my favourite parts of Worcester, with its mix of heritage buildings and modern urban art. One mural was cordoned off while the artist was working though I managed to catch a glimpse from a stairwell.
Along the way, we discovered plenty of independent shops and more artwork. Before leaving the city centre, I climbed the stairs to the car park roof to photograph some stunning murals, their lively colours contrasting with the rows of parked cars around them.
Our next destination was the Sixways legal wall on Offerton Lane, a council-designated space for street art. Tucked beneath the A449 and running alongside the Worcester and Birmingham canal, it has become a hub of creativity. We parked at the back of Sixways Stadium, and I went on alone to explore the underpasses. Artists were hard at work on the walls of the two underpasses. The air was thick with the smell of spray paint being applied to the concrete.
Cycling pastCathedral, mural and bike.Colour co-ordinationReflections in the canal.Spray cans at the ready.Footprints.
The line-up was impressive: Worcester Writers KFO crew and guests, featuring PHE, Zeeizm, Kask, Sore, Spar, Knel, WWF (Wizards with Funk) Crew, Buser (OSK Bristol), Inkie (KTS, ASK Bristol), Such (ACT Sheffield), Rob Dise (TWC, Worcester), Merk, Hart, Frank Brough, Umix, and Arbour. I have always loved the names chosen by graffiti writers each one hinting at the personality behind the art. I am unsure who is who in my photographs at the Sixways legal wall, so please do get in touch if you can help with credits.
City limits.
This visit was just a glimpse into Worcester’s thriving urban art scene, which comes into its own during the Paint Festival. Murals and installations can be found across the city where they are tucked down small side streets, hidden in alleyways, or displayed on large walls. With every visit, there is something new to discover, making Worcester a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in street art, colour, and creativity.
If you enjoyed this then be sure to read my blogs about street art When I visited Cheltenham Spa and Halifax, Canada.
This is my 500th blog post — a remarkable milestone in my blogging journey. I first began writing my blog on this website on 27th December 2016, although my experience with online storytelling stretches back much further. Since 2006, I ran a work blog for the School of Dentistry, and even before that, in the early nineties, I was exploring websites and digital storytelling. I have always enjoyed keeping a diary of photographs, recording important years and events alongside my images. Social media gave me the opportunity to bring words and photos together, sharing my personal blog reflections and photographic stories with a wider audience. Now, 500 posts later, I am still passionate about blogging.
My first post in December 2016 and included this reflection of one of the entrances to the then recently opened New Street station. I was very proud of this picture and is one of my trademark reflections. I still come here to take pictures as you can get many varied and interesting street photography views.
Watching the sun set whilst sitting on the edge of Stanley Park
Post 100 – I was at a conference in Vancouver in July, 2019. On one of the evenings, I went out to Stanley Park and sat with many other local residents to see the Sun set. The experience was memorable and the picture does not fully convey the atmosphere of the evening.
Red post and telephone box in the snow
Post 200 – January 2021 and we had lived through Covid19 but we were still in one of the many lockdowns. Luckily waking up one morning, I saw that it had snowed. My village, Knowle, is very photogenic and the red postbox and phonebox stand out against the white background.
The interior of St Margaret’s Church, Ward End, Birmingham.
Post 300 – The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was a magical time and there was so much going on. There was an art project called “Keys to City” which open locks around Birmingham. I visited several venues with my key. This is St Margaret’s Church, Ward End, Birmingham. No longer a church, the place is a community centre. What was special about the Church were the stained glass windows which were created by pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones.
A view along Smallsbrook Queensway.
Post 400 – The Ringway Centre which is to the right of the picture is earmarked to be demolished. There is opposition to this proposal and therefore the bulldozers are so far silent. The planners wish to take down what they say is a building with concrete sickness and replace it with new shiny residential towers. I am unsure if this is progress but we wait and see what the outcome will be.
Knowle sunrise in September and featured on BBC Midlands today weather.My picture on BBC Midlands today – note the spelling of Solihull.
Post 500 – This is Knowle Park on a cold Tuesday morning in September. The figures walking along the path are entering the mist with the fiery sunrise beyond the trees. This was featured by Shafali Ozer on the BBC weathers. I always receive kind comments on social media when a picture is featured.
So we have reached 500 posts and I would like to thank James Kelly, who has been instrumental in setting up my website back in 2016. Little did we know back then that this blog would still be thriving 500 posts later. My very first post was about Birmingham Gems, an annual calendar at that time featuring my photographs. That first image, the entrance to New Street Station with ceiling reflections creating a surreal scene, remains one of my proudest photographs.
Finally, thank you to all my readers over these 500 posts. Some of you may have joined for just one or two views, whilst others have followed the entire blogging journey. I appreciate every single reader.
Here is to many more blog posts, more photography inspiration, and perhaps even a few books drawn from the stories I have shared over the years.
St Alban the Martyr Church is situated in Highgate, Birmingham. To get there, I took the No. 35 bus and then walked up the hill towards the church. Birmingham Heritage Week is a highlight of September, offering Birmingham residents the chance to visit places that are normally closed to the public or venues that many may not have considered visiting. The Church of St Alban the Martyr falls into the latter category. Anyone travelling into Birmingham will likely have seen its bell tower, which commands an impressive presence on the approach to the city.
Looking upwards at the amazing ceiling details.The front row of chairs in the sunlight.The gothic inspired interior of St Alban the Martyr.The sun streaming into the Church.
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The crucifixion with the vault in the background.St Patrick’s side chapel with the Bunce Altar.
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This church had been on my list to visit as part of Birmingham Heritage Week. The doors opened for the event, and I visited on a sunny Friday afternoon. On entering, one cannot fail to be struck by the interior architecture. The high stone-vaulted ceiling was designed by J. L. Pearson, a leading 19th-century Gothic architect who also designed Truro Cathedral. Tall stone pillars rise to support the vault, creating a repeating symmetrical pattern. The ceiling is just one of the many highlights of a church rich in treasures. Even the arrangement of chairs echoes the symmetry above, reinforcing the beauty of the space. I was the only visitor at the time, free to savour the majesty of this Gothic design and to take uninterrupted photographs. The play of light through the windows and the soaring ceiling were especially captivating. Adding to the atmosphere, the church was filled with uplifting music. The organist, David Briggs, was once the organist at the church, and now, lives in New York, where he is Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. He had just dropped in to practise on the church organ, on his way to Germany to give a recital. I was so fortunate to hear him play whilst I was taking photographs of the church.
A view of the organ being played by David Briggs.
One of the highlights is St Patrick’s Chapel. The altar is striking, and the surrounding artwork is outstanding. Sisters Kate and Myra Bunce, associated with the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the 20th century, created the Bunce Altarpiece (or Reredos) that dominates the chapel. The artwork, painted by Kate Bunce, takes the form of a triptych depicting Christ, angels, and the Virgin Mary. The beaten copper frame was designed and made by Myra Bunce. I found myself drawn to this historic piece, which is now a treasured part of St Alban the Martyr Church.
The Bunce Art and Craft displayed on the alter in St Patrick’s chapel.
The church community was warm and welcoming. Teas and coffees were served, questions were readily answered, and photography was encouraged. St Alban’s contribution to Birmingham Heritage Week is both valuable and memorable: rich with community history and enhanced by its remarkable architecture and artwork. This should be high on everyone’s list to visit during the Heritage week.
The Church and Bell Tower.
Details
The following are a selection of details that I photographed from around the church. I hope, like me, you find them interesting.
Church bannersMadona and Child.Painting and candle holder.A cherub.The beautiful lectern in the form of an eagle.Postcards for sale.Looking upwards to the stained glass windows.
This is one of several churches that I have visited during the Birmingham Heritage Open Week. I include my visit to the Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazer for your interest. I also include a link to Birmingham Heritage Week 2025.
Birmingham Heritage Week always reveals intriguing places to explore. Each year, the programme goes live at the end of summer, and tickets for the most popular destinations are quickly snapped up. For this year’s Birmingham Heritage week, I set my sights on two churches I had not previously visited, along with a guided walk in Birmingham.
The front entrance.
The first of these visits took me to the Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, a striking Orthodox church situated in Bournville. Renowned for its ornate ceilings and rich decoration, the church stands proudly on a hill overlooking the area. Arriving from Bristol Road, via the number 61 bus, I made the short walk uphill to the gates, where I was warmly welcomed by a member of the congregation.
The image of the Virgin Mary behind the alter.Close up details from the side alters.
Stepping inside, the splendour of the Byzantine design is immediately apparent. The ceiling is dominated by a powerful image of Christ, while the dome above the altar features a serene depiction of Mary. Stone pillars draw the eye across the space, emphasising the church’s harmonious proportions.
Icons of the Madonna and Child.The balcony with details at the back of the Church.
Unlike many Western churches, the Serbian Church has few seats. This open design is characteristic of Orthodox worship and allows visitors to move freely around. I spent much time admiring the icons and intricate details on the walls. The murals are painted in fresco, a technique where pigment is applied directly onto wet plaster, creating luminous images that glow in the light. I found myself mesmerised, pausing often to steady my concentration so that my photographs might capture even a fraction of the beauty that was before me.
Candles light up the Church.
The exterior holds equal charm. In the gardens, a golden crucifix stands proudly, while the church’s architectural form blends gracefully with its leafy surroundings. Time was against me, and with the church busy that day, I was unable to explore or photograph the adjacent hall—an omission I intend to rectify on a future visit.
The side entrance to the Church.The imposing domes of the church against the sky.The crucifix in the gardens of the church.
Elmdon Manor Walled Garden is hidden away behind Solihull Moors Football Club and is accessed via Damson Parkway. The roads are busy with large transporters and trucks carrying cars and supplies to and from Jaguar Land Rover Solihull. The lane to the gardens is signposted for Elmdon Park and St Nicholas’ Church, Elmdon. It is an easy turn to miss.
The wall is becoming overgrown.Passing through the entrance.
Elmdon House was once a large stately home that fell into disrepair after the second world war and was eventually demolished in 1956. The walled garden was part of the estate, supplying produce to the house. Today, it is managed by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. The original walls of the kitchen garden still stand, although they are in a poor state of repair. Clearly marked paths guide you through the site, and the highlights include the old orchard within the ruined walls, the adjacent woodland, and a meadow that opens up within the trees close to the Moors football ground. The pond, often covered with algae in summer, is usually much clearer during the winter months.
Fruit on the trees.Fences overgrown.Colours on the treesApples galore
. The area is a haven for wildlife and also offers many photographic opportunities. I usually visit once or twice a year with my camera and always come away with a set of images. I begin in the walled garden, where in late summer the trees of the old orchard are heavy with fruit. This year the area is very dry. The woodland adjoining the garden is ancient, filled with trees that form striking patterns. Fallen trunks lean against others, creating natural corridors of light. The atmosphere is shaped not only by nature but also by human presence: the sounds of warehouse workers drift through the trees, and the noise from Solihull Moors’ training pitches carries across the reserve.
Twisted overgrown trees.The woodland trees.Apple trees in the old orchid
The sudden appearance of a meadow within the woodland brings an unexpected openness and is a peaceful spot to pause and reflect. My photographs capture the abundance of fruit, the tangle of overgrown vegetation, and the play of light within the woodland. They also record the contrast between nature and modern development, as the reserve sits cheek by jowl with metallic warehouses and floodlights. Such an oasis is a delight to visit with the bonus of being close to home.
The meadow in the sun.Berries are ripened in the meadow area.Football lights between the trees.
Someone mentioned they would like to see the pictures of Elmdon Manor in the wintertime. I do not have pictures yet but I do have a blog entry showing Solihull woodland in the snow.
IgersbirminghamUK organised a walk around Spaghetti Junction on a warm Saturday afternoon at the beginning of August. For this blog entry, I have 24 frames which is the number of a roll of film. These pictures were taken with either my iPhone or Fujifilm x100vi. The stories and sights under the motorway are always changing and always surprising. Enjoy this photo essay.
Figures
People move around the complex concrete structures. They look apologetic for their presence as the concrete really does enjoy its own company.
Figure in the subwayA walk home with the noise of cars above.
Cyclists
People move quickly on the towpath nobody wants to stay too long as they may get lost in the concrete.
Cyclist between the pillars.There is light in the dark that guides the cyclist.
Pillars
The main feature of the concrete structures is the pillars. Reaching to the sky they hold the roads in place. If the pillars disappear then there so will the roads.
Reaching for the skyThe height of the pillars dwarfs the people who dare wander next to them.The cathedral pillars of Salford circus.Gaps between the Pillars.
So easy to lose your way under the motorway.There is signage to help.Colourful signs break through the concrete monotones.A scrawled sign lets you know where you are.
Traces of humanity
There are examples that humans have passed through the area.
Real MagicBirmingham, EnglandA smashing time.Walk this way
Nature fights back
Nature is slowly eroding the concrete jungle. Trees and greenery have established themselves amongst the pillars.
Greenery lines the paths.Trees in the sunlight.Concrete vs nature standoff.
I hope you enjoyed this photo essay of my recent visits to Spaghetti Junction. If you ever have the chance to visit the area then do take up the opportunity. There are regular tours that take in Aston Reservoir and the more interesting parts of the canal network. The interchange does become very quiet at the weekends. During the week, there is construction activity focused on maintaining the pillars that are essential to holding the motorway network together. The highs and lows of a visit around the Gravelley Hill interchange are illustrated below. The highlights include the wonders of the construction and architecture. The lows are the faceless nature of the area which has areas that are not particularly inviting.
The classical view of the pillars lined up along the river Rea.Barbed wire and undistinguished areas of the Junction.
Are you wanting to read more about Spaghetti Junction then here are more of my visits about what lies beneath the M6. I recommend starting with this blog post that sets the scene for my photo essay.
The passing of Ozzy Osborne leaves a large imprint on the people of Birmingham. The band Black Sabbath are very much loved and their Birmingham origins are celebrated throughout the city. Back in 1974, I remember “Paranoid” blasting out loudly through the student common room speakers. I loved the Black Sabbath album covers which stood out from others at the time with their own distinctive take on the early seventies. Even as my musical tastes moved towards glam rock, punk and new wave, I still had fondness for the distinctive Tony Iommi guitar riffs from “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid”. Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne still connect with me especially as their influences are all around Birmingham.
The shrine to Ozzy outside the Crown pub on Station Street.
Getting caught up in the emotion around the city from the reunion concert and people gathering to honour Ozzy, I went in the day before his funeral to visit the notable Black Sabbath sites in the city and pay my respects.
The Crown pub, Station St.
My first stop was the Crown pub often known as the birthplace of legends. Many famous bands played there including the early Black Sabbath concerts. Closed since 2014, the building is now protected by its Grade II listed status although what the future will be is uncertain. The Crown has had a lick of paint and the boarded-up windows now have pictures of the band. A small shrine has taken shape below the picture of Ozzy. There are a few candles, flowers and fan messages set out. Pedestrians entering New Street rail station glance curiously at all the commotion.
Ozzy the Bull at New Street station.
Then there is Ozzy the Bull. Towering above the concourse of New Street Station, this animatronic sculpture was a massive success during the Commonwealth Games. Once forgotten, now restored, much like the man himself, Ozzy the Bull is a great symbol of the City.
Ozzy’s signature on the wall in Navigation Street.
Outside the front of the station, Navigation street has attracted the City’s attention where Mr Murals, a local artist has created a striking Black Sabbath mural. Along the wall facing the station are photorealistic spray can pictures of the four band members. The Black Sabbath logo looms large beside them. Less than a month ago, the group came to look at the murals and each signed their name against their picture. The signatures have been protected with Perspex glass. The length of the street has become another shrine for Ozzy with flowers lined up against the wall.
More floral tributes along the Black Sabbath mural.
The focus of the outpouring of grief for Ozzy was taking place at the Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street. In 2019, the city dedicated this space to the band with a bench featuring the faces of Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill. Now, the bench is transformed with flowers, tributes, hand-written notes, empty Jack Daniels bottles, and even a guitar. The tribute has taken over the pavement and security are required to keep a semblance of order. On the day of the funeral, this was the place where the hearse bearing Ozzy stopped and the family paid their respects. The news and pictures from the BBC and Rolling Stone magazine show how much he will be missed.
This is the day before the funeral at Black Sabbath Bridge.A guitar with inscription amongst the tributes.More details of the tributes.
Next I find myself in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Here a special tribute holds centre stage. The ” Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero” exhibition celebrates the lead singer’s astonishing career. Videos play on loop; photographs of his successful career adorn the walls. The many gold and platinum records are displayed. At the entrance, The civic book of condolence for Ozzy waits. I stood in the queue, looking up at all the artwork around waiting my turn to add my condolences.
The working class hero exhibition.
On my way home, I pass through Victoria Square where there is an exhibition of Black Sabbath with many posters arranged to tell the history of the band that will forever be associated with Birmingham.
The Black Sabbath poster board exhibition in Victoria Square.
Even at Selfridges, the modern temple of retail, screens shimmered with Black Sabbath’s images. Pictures of the band and Ozzy great you at the store entrance. A place is set aside to stand and watch a continual loop of the greatest Black Sabbath songs.
Tributes to Black Sabbath.A mini theatre inside the store.
There is much to take in and the legacy of Ozzy and Black Sabbath is celebrated on the streets. He is a hero not only of the working class but everyone who looks to make a better future for themselves. Ozzy with his charismatic personality will forever symbolise the City of Birmingham.
Ozzy at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. (picture from the Working class hero exhibition).
There are a few Ozzy images in my past blogs. See if you can spot one in this blog.
I follow Imbue on Instagram and enjoy his thought-provoking artwork. Over the last few weeks, my Instagram feed went wild with notifications about his forthcoming exhibition. The images circulating included the Mona Lisa as viewed on mobile phones and a horse constructed from Amazon boxes. The exhibition was called ‘Lost All Meaning’, so I headed down to Digbeth to see the artwork. I do enjoy contemporary art. Having lived through the glam rock, punk and new romantic music movements, the album covers were always treasured. Imbue’s work captures much of that excitement and brings it right up to date.
The exhibition space for the Imbue artwork.
I arrived at the building on Floodgate Street and was immediately drawn to the walls where Imbue had arranged his work. A food and drinks machine was set up to dispense “faith healing” drugs. I bought a pack from the machine dispenser, and inside the blister pack, the tablets were arranged in the shape of a cross. This religious theme ran throughout the exhibition, with pieces such as The Fall of Man (UV print on a used MacBook lid) and McChurch, which, when cut out, resembles a McDonald’s Happy Meal box. The 100 Phones exhibit depicting the Mona Lisa was remarkable, though it makes me feel I really must go and see the actual Mona Lisa now!
Faithhealers make a cross.Mc Church which if brought allows you the option to but out and make a box.Close up of the 100 phones Mona Lisa.
Many of the prints were mounted on the wall and arranged in a 3-by-3 grid, including Leonardo da Vinci–inspired printed circuit boards with images of the Mona Lisa, Salvator Mundi, and Saint John the Baptist. Kids with Guns used shooting targets with added Mickey Mouse ears, a powerful indictment of the world’s current gun problems. Nearby was a bullet encased in a bottle, designed to be used in a 3D-printed gun.
Leonardo da Vinci seriesShooting targets for kids. A bullet for a 3D printed gun.
The theme of 3D printing ran through the exhibition, with the interplay of technology and everyday life presented not only to shock but also to make you think.
Liquidising Alexa which I have to admit is such a good idea.
Two large exhibits dominated the centre of the warehouse. The horse made from Amazon boxes must have stood 12 metres tall, as shown in the photos. Quite a few home deliveries were needed to construct this horse. To my mind, it resembled a Trojan Horse. Very fitting, as we bring Amazon boxes into our homes without a moment’s thought.
The Amazon Boxes Horse.
The other large exhibit was a veiled statue that Imbue had secretly scanned during a visit to the Louvre. The replica of Antonio Corradini’s Femme Voilée rotated in front of a bank of 3D printers. Small white statues were being printed and stored in a box, ready to be sold. This work raised many questions: how is it possible to scan such famous statues and then make them accessible to all? Did Imbue “steal” the statue from the Louvre, or is this simply how art will be shared in the future?
The veiled lady in front of a bank of 3D printing machines.A reflection of the veiled lady in the 3D printing window.The one that I want.
There were many other exhibits, too many to describe in detail. There are several accounts of the exhibition on the Internet each featuring their favoured artwork.
Personally, my favourite work was DNArk. I am currently watching a cheesy but entertaining TV series on the Syfy channel called The Ark, where the last of humanity is sent into space carrying the DNA of the animal world. Imbue’s artwork consists of a transparent boat with multiple rows of red vials representing DNA samples. It left me wondering: how are we going to preserve the world’s DNA if we keep destroying the environment?
DNArk
The bonus of the visit was meeting Imbue himself and taking his picture. He was open to conversation and happy to discuss his artwork and the ideas behind it. The exhibition only ran for a few days, but I will be on the lookout for his future work. Imbue has created artwork that resonates with today’s technology, cleverly weaving in references to past masters while exploring how we interact with the modern world. The role of religion seems to have morphed into technology, as people reinvent the world around them.
The artist, Imbue.
As a photographer, I appreciated how the exhibition was staged against the backdrop of an old industrial engineering workshop. The natural light from the ceiling windows and the texture of the walls provided the perfect setting for the artwork. As always, I used my X100VI for most of the pictures, whilst favouring my iPhone’s wide-angle lens for the overall views.
Lost all Meaning.
I found this exhibition space interesting as last year I was at the same place for the final day of the Floodgate an entertainment complex. As ever Digbeth changes and I have added my blog link below.
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