The Birmingham Light Festival has brightened up the city as look to the end of winter. Light festivals have been held previously, and this year, the company Opus supplied 11 imaginative light installations. Although many other activities were taking place, the BBC was planning a feature on the lights. I tagged along with John Bray, and we systematically tracked down most of the installations. It was also an opportunity to try out my night lens filter for my Fujifilm X100vi which was a present by my daughters. I was eager to try it out.
‘The Roof of Stars’ lights up Thorp Street, and transforms the area around Birmingham Hippodrome’s Stage Door. It was fun trying to capture both the cars and the reflections of the stars. Near to the main entrance of the Hippodrome, there is a peace poem – the words are very much needed at present.
The Roof of StarsPeace Poem
‘The Light Door’ at New Street Station was very bright. There were also many people around and catching either a clear shot or getting one where they were interacting with the light was not straight forward. I soon realised that taking pictures of these light installations was going to be tricky due to their placement and the challenge of capturing the atmosphere of people interacting with the displays.
The light door
The Mailbox featured a fruit machine installation, “Positive spin”. My Fujifilm did not have the wide angle view and I should have reached for my iPhone for a wide angled view. As we walked towards Gas Street Basin and Centenary Square, we spotted a light boat passing by on its way to the Mailbox, allowing us to capture the scene at just the right moment. There were volunteers from the Canal and River Trust who had been involved with the lights on the narrow boat.
Positive SpinThe narrowboat of light arrives at the Mailbox
Centenary Square had two installations: “Dance on Lava” Floor is LAVA x Silent Disco and “Night Badminton.” People were having fun especially on the dance floor. The badminton installation had a purple shuttlecock which was difficult to follow against the city lights and the dark night sky. The people playing the game did not seem to mind.
Dance Floor is LavaNight Badmington
I was not disappointed with the last three installations we visited. The first was “Ideas happen here” in Newhall Square, where the fountains and water reflections provided plenty of opportunities for great pictures. Saint Paul’s Square had a bioluminescent fungus display in lights, offering numerous leading lines and a quieter setting that made it easier to capture images. The final installation was “Flux” in Snow Hill Square. Fortunately, I found a display board where I could rest my camera, allowing me to take a long exposure shot of the bars of light as they whirled around.
Ideas happen here.Mycelium networkFlux
The one I missed was Alright Bab but as this is a legacy installation, I have time on my side to take pictures of it. I returned on the Monday and took pictures of this iconic phrase.
Alright Bab.
Tracking down the light installations made for an super night of photography. I was pleased with how my lens filter performed, as it cut down on light pollution and allowed for very small apertures, resulting in some nice starbursts. Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner, but I always enjoy these light installations.
Here are my blog entries from previous light festivals in Birmingham to enjoy.
The year may have started with plenty of rain, but that never stops me from hunting for reflections. I have a few favourite spots where I find good puddles, and here is a selection from the start of 2025.
Kingswood Junction after a very heavy downpour flooded the towpath.Taken with my Fujifilm x100vi of Gas Street Basin. There is smoke billowing out of one of the narrowboats.
Someone recently asked about my technique for taking such pictures. When capturing reflections, I use my iPhone, seeking out patches of water and anticipating how a reflection may appear. A key step is to get as low as possible to the puddle. This can be challenging, especially with particularly muddy puddles, like the one on Normandy Hill. One wrong step, and you could end up a muddy mess if you stumble into the water.
This reflection was taken from the surface of a very muddy puddle on Normandy Hill, Hillmorton, Rugby.
I position my phone so that the back lens is as close to the water as possible, just before autofocus engages. This creates a blurred background effect as the phone focuses on the nearest object. Since you are often crouching in muddy water while holding your phone, you must anticipate the outcome of your shot rather than seeing it perfectly in the moment. Using a larger camera—even a compact one—would be difficult in such conditions. Of course, larger cameras work well when photographing a lake beneath a mountain range, safely away from the water’s edge. However, the beauty of using a phone is its ability to capture reflections effortlessly during everyday walks. There are two pictures, in this gallery that have been taken with my Fujifilm x100v and I am still able to capture the magic of reflections.
Tow trains, one local, the other to London with the reflections framed by the footbridge.This contrast of colours of the blue hour and the warm lights is enhanced by the reflections. The picture was taken with my x100vi.
Having taken reflection photographs countless times, I now appreciate that the real skill lies in composition. It is about anticipating the possibilities that even a small puddle can offer.
Reflections at Selfridges with a blue theme. A favourite place for photographs.
Druids Heath is just a place I pass through—a shortcut home and a fast route that I have taken many times after events at the University of Birmingham or in Selly Oak and Bournville. Passing through the area, I often wondered about the mix of tower blocks and green spaces. I remember passing a lively pub, although its name always escaped me. My drive through would last around five minutes, ending at the Maypole and onto the bypass leading to the motorway back home.
Bell’s lane. the main thoroughfare passing through Druids Heath
Druids Heath remained an enigma until I stumbled upon a National Trust post which led me to the National Trust’s Back to Backs website. There was an advert for a walking tour of the area, linked to the slum clearance projects of the 1960s, such as the Back to Backs. Sparkling new estates had sprung up during that era, with Druids Heath at the forefront. My family came from Manchester, so I never learnt about the clearance of Birmingham’s slums. However, I did have University friends who lived in the Hume crescents in the late seventies. I have many stories of visiting Hulme when a student in Manchester.
Jayne Murray, the resident artist of Place Prospectors.
The walk around Druids Heath was organised by Jayne Murray, the resident artist of Place Prospectors. We gathered at the terminus of the number 50 bus, where Jayne introduced herself and handed out a set of postcards. Each postcard was to act as a signpost for our journey around the estate. The first depicted a map and a picture of the bus stop. As we began our walk, we found ourselves on the border of the city with the green fields of Bromsgrove and Worcestershire on the other side of the road. There was a stark contrast between the green countryside and the houses and towers of Druids Heath. The houses were built in units—some with garages and living quarters above, others resembling small terraces. Tower blocks punctuated the landscape, standing over the lower-raised houses. As we moved along, these towers became an ever-present feature, imposing themselves on the scenery.
A typical example of low level housing in Druids Heath.
Despite the low-grade litter scattered around the estate, it was clear that many residents took pride in their homes, adding personal touches to make the place welcoming. Jayne shared background details about the area, and the postcards were a clever prompt, allowing us to see how the estate had changed over the years. For example, the land along Bells Lane was once used for farming, and remnants of its agricultural past were still visible in the bushes that had once formed natural borders.
An example of the concrete architecture on the estate.Empty dustbins
We stopped at several landmarks, including the former pub called the Gladiator. Now I remember its name! Jayne explained that where there were once three pubs, there are now none, and she lamented the loss of the community spirit that disappeared with their closure. We also heard about the Dell; a large area of heathland once earmarked for development. A determined community fightback led to the cancellation of these plans, and the area is now a haven for wildlife.
The heathland of the Dell overshadowed by electricity pylons.
The final stages of the walk focused on the towers. Some have been demolished, while others stand empty, deemed unsuitable for habitation. Hillcroft House, for instance, stands vacant next to a row of shops—some are still in use, others abandoned. We passed two demolition sites: Heath House and Moundsley House. Both towers are now gone, leaving only grass in their place, with no new structures having yet been built. The library has since been replaced by the Druids Heath neighbourhood office and the youth club was still there. Using postcards with images of the towers mid-demolition, we aligned our photos to capture the present-day view, a poignant reminder of what once stood there.
The towers impose themselves over the undelating landscape.Leading lines to the towersHillcroft House stands emptyWelcome to Druids Heath.The site where Moundsley House once stood.
Jayne then led us up a hill to a green metal fence enclosing a large empty space. She recounted the story of Baverstock School, once a jewel in the estate’s crown. Built in 1969, its headteacher, Mr Perks, was dedicated to giving pupils the chance for a brighter future, and the school gained numerous accolades. However, after his retirement, the school’s fortunes declined, plagued by financial mismanagement and poor governance. It closed in 2017, with bulldozers arriving in 2020. The story saddened me, and I struggled to understand how such a vibrant institution could fall into ruin. Today, all that remains is an empty space, a postcard, and memories cherished by former staff and pupils.
There is nothing to show that Baverstock School once proudly stood here.
As we neared the end of our walk, a short footpath brought us to Kimpton Close, surrounded by three tower blocks: Saxelby, Kingswood, and Barretts Houses. Concrete buffers lay uprooted and scattered around the area. These buildings, now empty, await their fate. The 13-storey towers—used as a backdrop for the BBC drama series This Town, which explored the birth of ska in Coventry—stand as imposing relics of the past. I took many photographs, drawn to their photogenic yet haunting presence, and reflected on the families who once lived there. The setting sun seemed to know that their time was coming to an end.
The silhouettes of the three tower blocks against the setting sun.Looking up at Barretts House. Empty except for a few remnants of previous habitation.Graffiti writing on the entrance doors
Our final stop was a surprising landmark. Druids Heath is one of the highest points in Birmingham, and surrounded by the towers there was a trig point. Jayne joked that if we looked east, the next highest place would be the Ural Mountains. With the cold wind picking up on that late Saturday afternoon, I had no reason to doubt her.
The trig point in Druids Heath with the towers forming a backdrop to the landscape.
In our pack was artwork inspired by Druids Heath residents. The final postcard bore the words I am not going to panic, from the Moving Stories project. This artwork, by Jayne and Jean, one of the last residents of the Brookpiece tower block overlooking the trig point, depicted the long-reach of the proposed demolition. The tower was in the jaws of a pincer which outlined the area. There is a lot of concern and uncertainty about what is planned to be demolished and what will replace the present buildings.
We concluded our walk with a group photograph and I departed for home. Jayne and others headed to the Outpost Arts Centre for a screening of the film The Great British Housing Disaster. I later watched the film on YouTube, finding it a harrowing yet informative background to the building expansion in the sixties. The mismanagement and misplaced decision making from Government and building contractors remains a major problem to this day. Will the future lead to better things? That is a difficult question to answer based on past history of the buildings on Druids Heath.
Taken from the Instagram account of @jaynemurrayartisThe lights on Pound road
On my way back to the car, I passed the mural for Druids Heath by Mohammed Ali. The golden light of the setting sun enhanced its vibrant colours. The mural’s theme of safety and compassion reflected the community’s spirit and the hope for togetherness.
The artwork by Mohammed Ali symbolising the community spirit.
At the number 50 bus stop, where two buses waited, I was reminded of the first postcard Jayne had handed out. Back home, I looked through my pack again, matching my photographs with the postcards. I would encourage anyone to visit the Moving Stories website and read about the residents’ experiences of life on the Druids Heath estate. Their words—flooding, cold, damp, frustration, and loss of hope—paint a poignant picture of the challenges they faced.
The number 50 bus terminus.
Though Druids Heath was once just a shortcut on my way to Birmingham, this walk gave me a glimpse into its rich history, its struggles, and its community spirit. It is no longer simply a place I pass through but one I now understand more deeply.
Thank you to Jayne and the team that organised the walk around Druids Heath. Jayne was accompanied by Clare, who is an artist and former architect. Clare provided background information as to how the houses and towers were built. I found this to be an excellent follow on from my visit to the National Trust Back to Backs property. I have written a blog about my visit there and there is a link below. I shall be visiting the exhibition “Moving Stories” that links with the walking tour that I described in this blog.
I have also added a link to “The Great British housing disaster” which is essential viewing. The documentary unravels the mismanagement and poor quality control of the building industry in the 1960s. The people who bore the brunt of this disaster were ordinary people many of whom lost their lives when buildings collapsed or caught fire such as the Grenfell Tower fire.
I love January days when there is a clear blue sky and the weather is dry and crisp. We have had a few cold days like these, which have also featured bright sunrises and warm sunsets. January is also a great time to photograph the streets of Digbeth. Warm colours are created as the sun sets, highlighting the character of the old industrial brick buildings of the area. The brickwork soaks up the light and emits a deep warm glow. Checking my TPE, I found that the setting sun aligns along Floodgate Street during the golden hour.
Long shadows starting to form along Floodgate Street.The Moon above Spiderman at Luna Springs
Wrapping up warm with plenty of layers of clothing, I arrived at Moor Street Station. My route to Digbeth took me past the old Typhoo tea factory, which is under renovation and will soon become the new Midlands headquarters for the BBC. Along the way, I met fellow photographer Simon MacCreedy, who was out with his trusty Pentax. We caught up on the latest news and talked about our photography. Simon specialises in black and white photography, and his work is worth exploring, especially on his @Macindigbeth Instagram account.
Striding towards with ambition.
After saying our goodbyes, I headed to Little Ann Street. The sun was low, and only the tops of buildings were still bathed in light. Shadows crept across the street but had not yet obscured the words “Striving forward with ambition,” painted on the side of the Performers and Screen and Film School building, part of the BIMM Music Institute group. The sign was created by FokaWolf, a subversive street artist known for parody and satire.
Adam and his mate flagged me down and asked for a picture of them in their car. They had heard of @dammodammo.Long shadows in the sunset.A billboard with a message seen on the High Street.
On Floodgate Street, long shadows stretched behind pedestrians walking along the pavements. Having taking a few pictures, I walked over the canal to Montague street to visit the Digbeth Loc. Studios where the filming of the forthcoming “Peaky Blinders” movie is taking place. The film studios were established by Steven Knight and he commissioned Mr Murals to paint a mural the building of the iconic Peaky Blinders characters. The hand-painted street art features the characters, Thomas Shelby, Ada Shelby, and Alfie Solomons, with a scene of Birmingham from the past behind Thomas Shelby. It is a fantastic piece of art, though not the easiest building to photograph.
Part of the Peaky Blinder mural on Montague Street.The eyes have it, Alfie, Ada and Thomas.
Back on Gibb Street and Floodgate Street, the sun had almost set. I lingered, taking pictures, and noticed the sky beginning to change colour as the blue hour approached. Standing at the entrance to Gibb Street, I saw the city’s high-rise buildings silhouetted against the deepening blue sky. Searching for the best view, I crossed over the high street to the newly laid tram tracks. Standing on the tracks I saw classic leading lines that conveniently pointed back towards the city. I know that his would be a good picture. After activating the RAW function on my iPhone for the most detailed information, I captured several shots and was very pleased with the resulting pictures.
The tracks of the city.
The temperature was dropping fast, but I was determined to photograph more of Digbeth during the blue hour. The contrast between the warm streetlights and the cool blue sky created vibrant, colourful scenes. Eventually, the cold won, and I retreated to the warm carriages of a train back to Olton for dinner at my daughter’s house. Reflecting on the day, the two to three hours spent in Digbeth were worthwhile and added another chapter to my photographic diary of this dynamic area of Birmingham.
The yellows and blues along Floodgate Street.The classic view of Gibb Street.Yo Birmingham
I have done many visits to Digbeth and I am spoilt for choice. I have narrowed down my selection of my two more popular blogs on Digbeth. I hope you enjoy reading them. My first choice is a visit to Digbeth in January 2024 but the setting is in the morning. My second is a study of the street art and the pictures were taken during the day in July 2020. Enjoy!
Time to review my best pictures of 2024. The latter part of my photographic year was devoted to the Stirchley Observation Project. This course, organised by the PRISM Photographic Network, ran over 12 weekends from September to November. A final exhibition featuring many of my photographs will take place in 2025. This documentary course, led by Oksana Bischin, changed many of my perspectives on photography. With valuable feedback from fellow participants, it led to a deeper appreciation for the art of taking pictures. Two of my top four photographs are from my time on the course.
Red Hair, Green diamond.
The first of my top four, and my favourite, is titled Golden Hair with Green Diamonds. This picture was taken in Stirchley, on the footpath behind the Birmingham Brewing Company. When I first reviewed the image, I wasn’t happy with it, as the person was out of focus. However, I did appreciate the vivid colours, which gave the composition a lovely vibe. I was taken aback by the positive comments I received. People mentioned the timing, the texture in the wall, and the shadow cast by the railing. Yet, it’s the woman reading the book that adds so much more interest to the picture.
The distant skyscrapers contrast with the housing and bus in the foreground.
Birmingham is undergoing a construction boom, with many high-rise skyscrapers being built. I took this picture on the canal bridge over the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, which forms the western border of Stirchley. Using my 400mm zoom lens, I aimed to capture the contrast between the older houses on Pershore Road and the shining new residential towers in the city centre. Just as I took the shot, the number 11 bus passed over the bridge, and there was a person at the front of the bus, looking out at the scene. This picture was well-received on the BBC Birmingham social media pages and made the BBC news website.
Reflections around Selfridges bring out the sunrise.
Selfridges is an iconic building that always offers photographic opportunities. This picture was taken on a morning in early December. The sunrise brought a few colourful clouds, and the rain from the previous night had left several puddles, creating the perfect chance to capture a puddle reflection—my trademark style of photography. I was initially concerned that the partially constructed building in the background would spoil the shot. However, I needn’t have worried, as all the elements of the composition came together beautifully. The colourful clouds seem to flow across Selfridges, adding a dynamic element to the image.
Early morning light on a poppy field in Kinver, Staffordshire.
My final picture is of a poppy field near Kinver Edge. I remember the morning well. After getting up early, I headed to Kinver and arrived at the field, where I found a fence surrounding the poppies, making it tricky to find a good composition. Another photographer was also there, searching for a good vantage point. I decided to stay put and wait for the sunrise. The morning was cool, which provided a clear, distinctive light. I pointed my 400mm zoom lens through the fence and used a wide-open aperture. The images looked good on the small LCD screen of my Canon 5D Mark IV, so I took several more shots. Then, I realised the sun was about to appear on the crest of the hill overlooking the poppies. My next set of pictures worked well, but when I got home to review my images, this one stood out. The cool light had created a magical scene, with the wildflowers set against a background dotted with the red of the poppies.
My top 9 on Instagram.
These are my top 9 photographs from Instagram. Instead of paying for a program to identify them, I worked through the year to find out which ones received the most likes. The most popular photos are the selfies of me, either with Mason, my new grandson, or with Sandy. The northern lights were amazing and appeared right over my house. The poppy fields also made an appearance, as did pictures of the Birmingham cityscape, which are always popular.
The archives rule and please compare my 2024 selection with 2023 and 2022.
Like many people, I stayed indoors during Storm Darrargh. During the night the wind was intense and our local social media was full of posts about trees coming down. In the Midlands, we received a battering but this was nowhere near as severe as that experienced by those living on the west coast of the UK.
A tree blocks a footpath.
Sunday morning and I was up early for a walk with the dog. Knowle park has many old trees around the periphery and these had taken the brunt of the storm. I counted well into double figures the number of trees and large branches that had been thrown around not only across the park but also over some of the main roads. Solihull council had been very busy during the night and had already tidied up some of the worst damage that had affected the main roads.
A large tree uprooted in the park
These are just a few of the pictures I captured during my morning walk. After the storm, there was a beautiful sunrise which contrasted against the damage that had taken place the night before.
Sunrise after Storm Darragh.
Fortunately, there were only trees that had fallen. However, as you can see, one person’s car was not so fortunate.
A fallen tree has been cut up revealing damage to a parked car.
Knowle park has some amazing weather during the seasons and the following blog shows an August morning in 2020 after thunderstorms.
I have been involved with the Stirchley Observation Project over the last few months. I have not featured my experiences of the project on my blog, as I am waiting until the course is complete. We still have a portrait session and the all-important exhibition to look forward to, so these will form part of a later post. However, with the formal teaching now nearly finished, I found myself with a free Saturday morning. The photography group suggested a visit to the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), followed by a stroll around Cannon Hill Park. Being near to where I used to work at Pebble Mill, I know the park well, particularly the Nature Centre entrance and, of course, the MAC.
The MAC needs a lick of paint.The MAC
Three of us from the group were free, and we met for coffee early in the morning. Inderjit and Dave were already waiting and both were sporting stylish silver cameras for the photographic walkabout. The park was bustling with runners participating in the Park Run, but the area quieted down once the event finished. As we began our walk around the park, we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Watching the world go by.
Cannon Hill Park offers several photographic highlights. One iconic spot is where seagulls line up along the railings, seemingly watching the world go by. Another notable feature is the Golden Lion, a historic pub relocated from Digbeth. Sadly, the building is in desperate need of restoration, but Historic England is overseeing efforts to preserve it, with work expected to begin soon.
The scaffolding around the Golden Lion.
A more reflective part of the park is the memorial dedicated to the victims of the 2015 terrorist attack on a Tunisian beach. This quiet area is home to Infinite Wave, a fascinating metal sculpture designed by George King Architects. The structure features 31 tubes, each engraved with the name of one of the UK victims, brought together in a continuous loop. From a photographer’s perspective, the memorial is captivating, offering different viewpoints depending on where you stand.
Detail of the 31 Steel loops with the names of those who lost their lives.Dave takes pictures inside the memorial.Whilst Inderjit surveys the outside.
Cannon Hill Park has many other areas of interest, each with its own story to tell. One such place is the Sons of Rest, a building I’ve often passed but never fully appreciated. Though it appears unused now, it was once a meeting spot where people gathered for social activities like board games and conversation. Another highlight is the Victorian bandstand, an ornate octagonal structure that serves as a focal point for park events, including the Park Run held earlier that morning.
The Sons of Rest.The Victorian Bandstand.
I was also charmed by the Park Train station stop, a whimsical feature of the park.
Train stop.
Our walk took us into the northwest section of the park, where remnants of a tropical garden remain. Unfortunately, the area needs care and attention. The historic greenhouse was dismantled in 2012 after falling into disrepair, and the council’s plan to maintain the space as a subtropical garden has not been entirely successful. The area now looks somewhat neglected, with graffiti-tagged walls adding to the sense of abandonment.
The path that lies before us.Parts of of the supporting poles remain.The broken path in the subtropical garden area.Grafitti on the outside walls of a once tropical Glasshouse.
Further along, we came across a model of the Elan Valley Aqueduct, another interesting and quirky feature of the park. However the park does need some tender loving care and the following set of photographs show how the park is being run down.
Keep together whatever happens.The rule of three.Recognition of former times.Warning sign.Free Advertising.More threesomes that need painting.
As we continued to explore, I was struck by the stillness of the park during late November and early December. With the vibrant summer crowds long gone, the park felt as though it were bedding down for the winter, waiting patiently for the warmth and liveliness of the summer months to return.
If you enjoyed this account of Birmingham then you may like to read about a visit to Edgbaston reservoir that was organised by my friends at IgersbirminghamUK.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition visited the Waterhall in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This is the second year that I seen WPOTY, and the images were just as impressive as those shown last year at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. The photographs were incredibly powerful, and the exhibition is a must-see.
A Christmas arch at the entrance to the marketPermanent and temporary architecture.
As we had a late afternoon slot at the museum, we decided to stay in Birmingham for the early evening. Our first stop was The Sun on the Hill. The pub had a lively buzz and offered a selection of interesting beers. However, we were eager to visit The Pigeon in the Park, a pop-up pub within the Cathedral Christmas Market.
Street scene from the market.Helta skeltaAngels singingThe Pigeon
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In my opinion, this Christmas market is a much better option than the Frankfurt German Market, which tends to be overcrowded. While the prices are still high, they are comparable to those at the main German Market. I prefer the area around the Cathedral as it is easier to move around. There are several excellent food stalls, and, of course, the famous pop-up pub.
StreetfoodMaking your mind up.Steam cookingDecisions, decisionsWandering through the stalls
The top floor of The Pigeon in the Park offers a panoramic view of the activity in Cathedral Square. Sipping a pint while people-watching is a great pastime. Groups often gather, hopeful of securing a table on the balcony. Below, the stalls are bustling, and the delicious aroma of cooking wafts up to the pub.
Light movement
The Pigeon in the Park is a fantastic spot to enjoy a drink on a cold winter’s night in Birmingham.
Rob at WPOTYOn the balcony
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If may wish to see what Birmingham looked like last Christmas as I have a blog about it.
The hottest ticket in town was the reopening of the revamped Birmingham Museum and Art gallery. When I saw the pictures on Instagram of the great and the good of Birmingham at the Museum’s re-opening celebration then I knew I must visit and see the changes myself. The celebrations were followed by the official opening which showed the excitement in the City about this much loved institution. People were worried that any opening may face significant delays, after the recent publicity about the problems with the Birmingham City Council. Fortunately the refurbishment of BMAG as it is affectionately known went ahead and the museum opened again on the 25th October 2024 having closed in 2019, although there was a brief reopening for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
The re-imagined round room with the imposing statue of Lucifer.
A great deal of work has taken place behind the scenes in renovating the museum. Slowly the reopening happened in stages. First there was an art display on Victorian Radicals at the Gas street gallery. This celebrates the artwork from the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. I had visited the virtual reality installation In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats in the summer of 2024. This took place in the Waterhall in August. However my last visit to see the City centre musuem was in 2019.
Made in Birmingham
The entrance to BMAG is from Chamberlain square and here I bumped into a friend, Stephen Lowe, on the entrance steps. As someone who works at BMAG, Stephen gave me a quick recap of what was happening and how the next phases of reopening will happen. We climbed the steps and entered the round room of BMAG. There I was greeted by Sir Jacob Epstein’s Lucifer. This imposing statue has a menacing stance but still looks magnificent with the outstretched wings and the hands reaching out towards you. You cannot do anything but meet the eyes and then quickly look away! The walls around the room have many new pictures from before. I have a picture from 2012 which shows the difference in approach over a decade with the changing styles of artwork being displayed. Steve pulled me over to view Joe Lycett’s The Mona Lisa Scott-Lee painting which is a mimic of the famous de Vinci picture. I love the round room so spent some time there before entering the Made in Birmingham display room.
The round room looks bright and inviting. A fresh take.A view of the Round room in 2013. This was the more traditional look for the last decade.Joe Lycett’s The Mona Lisa Scott-Lee painting
The upper veranda featured the Deviance & Difference display that was curated by a good friend Osman Yousefzada. Osman had organised for artwork by graduates from Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Art, to be arranged alongside items from Birmingham’s art collection. There were displays from the following artists, Francis Bacon, Donald Rodney and Barbara Hepworth. I was pleased to see the Queen Victoria statues that were once part of a re-imagining of the Queen Victoria Statue by Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke. Originally, the five statues of Queen Victoria were placed in a boat. This was then joined with the oringial Queen Victoria statue in Victoria square. This public art was on display during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival. Hew Lock donated the 5 mini statues to Birmingham Museum and I had a chance to see them up close when I visited the BMAG collections facility last year.
A vaseHealthy EatingQueen VictoriaA row of Victorias
There was so much to see in the Made in Birmingham section, and highlights included the HP factory sign, contributions from local school children and models of what Birmingham may have looked like if various civic projects had gone ahead. ‘Made in Birmingham’ is a snapshot of how the city rose to prominence and highlights people and places using different iconic objects which are distinctly Birmingham made. Overlooking the hall is a large impressive neon sign of Made in Birmingham. I was thinking of a bite to eat in the Edwardian Tea rooms but as my picture shows, this is as popular as it was before closure. Arriving just before opening is required to beat the crowds.
A tricky picture to take as the sign was behind other exhibits.The Edwardian Tea Rooms
The first floor of the museum is open and there are several themed rooms to visit. The first encounter was the Modern Muse by Arpita Shah. This is a corridor of compelling pictures of young South Asian women from Birmingham and the West Midlands. The aim is to celebrate their identities and experiences of living in the West Midlands. My background is dentistry and whilst I appreciate the approach and the pictures, I would wish to have seen more young professional young women displayed in this corridor from the demographic being portrayed. Maybe there will be a continuation of the project that was commissioned by Grain projects.
Modern Muse by Arpita Shah in the corridor leading from the Round room.
I missed the Pixel Studio which is the new digital gallery and activity space as I was captivated by the display that celebrated the life and work of Birmingham-born poet, Benjamin Zephaniah (958 – 2023). The picture by Pogus Caesar captures Benjamin so well and I stood around taking pictures of people who were passing through with the reflections on the wall.
Benjamin Zephaniah
There are two new galleries named the Wild City which highlights nature in the City of Birmingham. These are designed primarily for interaction with children and families but the stories of nature are for everyone to enjoy.
Not an exhibit but part of the shop. Stacey Barnfield and colours of Brum
Then that was the end of the tour. The Victorian Radicals exhibition that highlights the paintings and art work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood has to be pre-booked. I will be returning to view the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition later this month. So what did I think? I was so pleased to be able to visit the museum again and even though it was only one floor, seeing old familiar rooms and new artwork was very rewarding. I look forward to more rooms being opened in the future.
You may wish to see my previous adventures when visiting BMAG
The shop designers at Selfridges Birmingham are always ahead of the game when Christmas arrives. Yes I know Christmas is arriving earlier and earlier each year. These pictures were taken on 4th November when we went in for a shopping expedition. I love the ground floor of Selfridges and the attention to detail is wonderful to see. Seeing the Christmas decorations reminds me of when I was growing up in Manchester as a young boy, my parents took me into Kendals department store on Deansgate. I was so excited to see the store’s decorations and the feeling of expectation of what Father Christmas may bring me.
The Selfridges’ Christmas TreeThe lights and the reflective spheres.
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When we visited, the first port of call was the ground floor to see the various shops all set up for Christmas. I enjoy seeing the Lego sets (yes the boy in me is still there), looking at the Christmas cards and this time checking out the extensive Jellycats stand. I also visited the White company as I know that is the place Sandy likes. I was planning ahead for her birthday and Christmas in the next few months.
Having a marmalade sandwich with Paddington.
We had brunch at the Medicine Bakery. Before Covid, I had a dental clinic at Boots every Monday. I used to spend an hour taking photographs before arriving at the Medicine Bakery for a coffee and a croissant. Then I hotfooted across town to Boots to start the day. Their pastries are wonderfully light and the filling is delicious. Just outside the café, Paddington was on a bench eating marmalade sandwiches. It would be rude not to have a picture of Siân and Mason with Paddington.
The Bull at Selfridges.
The Selfridges Bull, not to be confused with the Bullring bull, was sporting some splendid Christmas decorations. The rest of the shopping centre was also getting into the spirit of Christmas and I am sure that I will be back again several times over the festive period.
The Bull Ring shopping Centre is quiet on a Monday morning before the Christmas Shopping begins.
There will be many more blog posts before Christmas but if you wish to revisit Christmas 2023 then I have the following link for you to visit.
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