 | | Grandma's Chair by Rosemary Keep |
Local artists talk about the thriving art scene in Birmingham, the facilities available and the optimism that's breeding fresh new talent.
"There is an increasing awareness amongst contemporary artists that there’s a need to look outside of your immediate environment and position yourself in relation to local, national and international networks.
"This shift in thinking has led to the development of a number of interesting projects, spaces and initiatives that have begun to revitalise the arts scene and community in Birmingham, enabling the city to begin realising some of the promise which for so long has existed, but not been fulfilled." Said Ruth Claxton an artist who lives and works in Birmingham. Bringing artists into the city "For an artist living in Birmingham the new vitality of organisations like Springhill Institute, AAS, Capital Projects and Insert Space can’t fail to be a good thing. However there is a need for the council to be more visionary in terms of the way it supports artists. What the community desperately needs are buildings that would enable longer term, sustainable project spaces and galleries to be established.
 | | Light and shadows falling on a room |
"There’s also a need for the regional media to support the arts, rather than always following the sensationalist ‘it’s a waste of taxpayer’s money’ line. Why not have an intelligent discussion about the work and then let the viewers/readers decide for themselves – you never know they might just like it." Ruth’s comments were echoed by many of the artists we spoke to. Rosemary Keep grew up in Birmingham and recently graduated from Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) with an MA in Fine Art and is now based in the Custard Factory. An exciting place to be "Birmingham is an exciting city for emerging artists - there is a real buzz about the place. Birmingham Artists are making a big contribution to supporting both new and established artists and encouraging experimental work as well as the more main stream.
 | | Take a seat by Sophie Rush |
"A good proportion of BIAD graduates and other artists are now choosing to remain in the city to start their careers instead of moving to London - looking at areas like Digbeth and Ladywood. While there is a shortage of good exhibition spaces in the region, there are young artists in the city working from alternative spaces who are making exciting work. "A good way for emerging artists to get their work seen is by joining together for collaborative shows. This spring there are a number of these exhibitions such as 'The Chair' (Level 5 of the Mailbox on Friday 22nd – Monday 25th April) and 'The Art of Illusion' (at the City Space in May)." Artwork shouldn’t be underground
 | | Suspicious Circumstances, Arlene Burnett |
Sophie Rush, also a local artists who organises local exhibitions said: "There is a thriving art scene in Birmingham, but it is underground as there are very few places to actually showcase new work. We decided to make this happen ourselves by organising exhibitions such as The Chair and Art of Illusion.
"It gives the public in Birmingham a chance to see a broad range of contemporary practice ranging from photography, to video, sculpture, painting and performance, work which would usually only be shown in London". The Chair The Chair exhibition brings together a group of about 15 Birmingham-based artists in a multi-media exhibition which takes a fresh look at this everyday object. The show includes sculpture, installation, photography, painting and performance and builds on a long tradition of using the chair in art. UCE – a meeting of artists Faye Claridge, local artist added: "Most of the artists in The Chair met on an MA Fine Art course. Outside the city it’s recognised as one of the top courses for artists, but people generally don’t know the talent that’s bred in their area.
 | | Picture by Angela Stride |
"Until very recently there simply hasn’t been anywhere for artists to hold their own shows here. Artists could be getting well-known in other major cities and could still be completely anonymous in their home town. "Now a number of new venues and opportunities have sprung up - like City Space, Periscope, Colony, Spectacle – and at last the local audience is getting to see some of this work. A few months ago none of us would have thought a seemingly exclusive venue like The Mailbox would also be part of this scene (as the venue for The Chair). It just proves the significance of this sudden shift of interest in, and commitment to, the arts in Birmingham." You don't have to move to London! Arlene Burnett teaches Fine Art at Solihull College and has been organising art events throughout the city: "Because there’s a shortage of affordable galleries to rent in Birmingham we wanted to hold The Chair exhibition somewhere other than the regular places available to artists. The Mailbox were very happy to accommodate us. The shop unit itself is situated in a great place, with plenty of through traffic - most galleries are usually out of the way and therefore don't usually draw in the general public. Although I believe there is a large amount of artists living in Birmingham who are trying to make changes to this situation.
 | | Blind Portrait by Faye Claridge |
"Hopefully the kind of exhibitions taking place in Birmingham will encourage students to stay and become involved in what is a growing and exciting art scene in Birmingham." The Art of Illusion "The Art of Illusion" is another local exhibition, open from the 18th May at City Space gallery, above Jacobs on Corporation street in Birmingham. Some of the artists are recent MA students from the Birmingham Institute of Art & Design. The show is quite diverse in its scope in response to the title and includes photography, painting, performance, sculpture, video and projection. "There is work that explores in some way the narrative and tradition of magic, its props, mannerisms and its rituals." Said Paul Newman, an artist and an organiser of local art exhibitions. Supporting the local art culture Whether you love contemporary art or not – you can’t help but admire the enthusiasm of the artists and their devotion to their work. A lot of people are making a real effort to enthuse the local art scene and to make sure Birmingham’s art culture is given the recognition it deserves. So the next time you pass a venue featuring local artists, why not go in and take a look – as Ruth said "You never know, you might just like it". | 
