“Silver thread” lives in two worlds. Spiritually, it’s the bright tether between body and soul. In the studio, it’s literal metal—heavy, malleable, quick to tarnish—drawn […]
Lucian Freud prints among major gift to The New Art Gallery Walsall
Lucian Freud is best known for his raw and expressive figurative paintings. Working from life, he made portraits of those closest to him – friends, […]
Cut and paste: The revolutionary history of collage
Collage is often perceived as child’s play, dismissed as craft with paper, scissors and glue, and associated with amateur, folk and women artists. Even in […]
Debbie Baird and Brian Wood Explore Ego, Identity And Power
Artists don’t have all the answers. Instead, the best ones pose questions. In the case of British figurative painters Debbie Baird and Brian Wood, who […]
Cristina Gardiner: ‘Transitory Landscapes’ at Birmingham’s RBSA Gallery
There’s beauty to be found in urban wastelands, post-industrial sites and weathered surfaces. This is what painter Cristina Gardiner ARBSA encourages viewers to see in […]
Seeking ‘Shelter’ at The New Art Gallery Walsall
Shelter can mean a home, where we feel safe and belong. But it can also signify a space where unsettling secrets linger, while the term […]
RBSA Young Artists Prize: celebrating art made by children
Bursting with colour, expression and individuality, more than 50 exhibited artworks at Birmingham’s RBSA Gallery prove a point made famous by Pablo Picasso: “Every child […]
10 Rising Birmingham Artists to Watch
Over the last year, I’ve witnessed momentum growing in the Midlands. As well as drawing, painting or printing solo in their studios, Birmingham artists are […]
Birmingham Botanical Gardens: A Brilliant Day Out
On another scorching heatwave morning, I walked one mile out of Birmingham city centre to spend time among beautiful plant life: palms and tree ferns, […]
‘Workshop of the World’ at Ikon Gallery
Tapestries, tiles, stained glass windows and famous typefaces have all been made in Birmingham. The city’s rich arts and crafts heritage has also inspired a […]