Go Popular Tags

Posts

Let our community keep you entertained with regular articles that they would like to share with you.

Search our posts by passion or by type of post to find what you are looking for.

Elliott Brown History & heritage
16 Jan 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Eagle & Tun: HS2 calls it time to sadly knock this historic pub down

The Eagle & Tun in the current building has been on the corner site of New Canal Street and Banbury Street for 120 years. Built to a design from James & Lister Lea in 1900. In 2020 the current licence comes to an end, as HS2 wants to knock this historic pub down to make way for the proposed station. Had a few hours there with the Brumtography Facebook group created by Karl Newton.

View feature View community

The Eagle & Tun: HS2 calls it time to sadly knock this historic pub down





The Eagle & Tun in the current building has been on the corner site of New Canal Street and Banbury Street for 120 years. Built to a design from James & Lister Lea in 1900. In 2020 the current licence comes to an end, as HS2 wants to knock this historic pub down to make way for the proposed station. Had a few hours there with the Brumtography Facebook group created by Karl Newton.


Out of the blue, Birmingham We Are person with passion Karl Newton, over on Facebook set up a new group called Brumtography. And he invited members to go to The Eagle & Tun on Saturday 11th January 2020 from about 3pm to 6pm. I got there by 2:30pm, and we left by 5:30pm. We had plenty of time to take photos of the inside of this historic pub.

The pub was designed and built in 1900 (had been another pub on this site) by James & Lister Lea. The pub was made famous in the 1980s, as UB40 shot a music video here for their single Red Red Wine.  It was also used as the cover of the UB40 Best Of album. More recently Ed Sheeran popped by the pub.

It was closed and boarded up from about 2008 until the new landlords bought and reopened it in 2016. A nice Indian couple and their son.

 

I met up with Karl around here. Lots of old looking tables and chairs. Bar to the left. Window on the right was smashed and had a wooden board covering the damage.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the entrance. The bar to the left. Lots of musical instruments were near the top of the walls but below the ceiling.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I wonder where they got all of these musical instruments from?

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the bar from near where we were sitting / met up.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Into the Pool Room. The pool table, the landlord later lit up the fire.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw lots of old looking Roman or Greek pictures on the walls around here.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A pair of gaming machines. The tiles looked quite interesting, they could be saved and go to an interested museum?

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bottles behind the bar. Many drinks to be had here.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Beer pumps from Red Fang, 3D Beer Cisco Steam, Twisted Wheel Brew Co and Pitchfork.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look at the bar curving round close to the way in. Door to the back leads to the pool room.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

If you left the pool room from this side, this would be the view, near the bar.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Mint Julep and Dixie Beer. Wine glasses and bottles, instruments all around.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind the bar. The landlord had a box of really old cameras that he needed to sell.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view of what was behind the bar.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back of the beer pumps. The landlord and landlady pour your beer or lager here.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was getting dark outside, final curtains on this historic bar. What can be saved?

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun int (Jan 20) (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After we left, we took several photos of the exterior of The Eagle & Tun, after dark. It was also raining. This from Banbury Street. HS2 have put barriers up, so the opposite pavement was closed.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun ext (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They have coloured lights that change colours on the first floor. Was a lot of passing traffic on New Canal Street.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun ext (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Could see passing trains go past behind the pub. It will be sad to see this 120 year old pub knocked down. Is there no way to move it brick by brick to somewhere else in the city? Don't go the way of the doomed Fox & Grapes on Park Street. Only The Woodman will remain open, and probably survive the possible building of the HS2 Birmingham terminus station at Curzon Street.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun ext (Jan 20) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The pub sign of The Eagle & Tun is one thing that hasn't changed. Although at one point a previous landlord renamed the pub as The Cauliflower Ear! But thankfully it was later changed back.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun ext (Jan 20) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Share  Spend Points  Connect with us
70 passion points
Elliott Brown History & heritage
16 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Birmingham's Hidden Spaces: A look around St Martin's Church (September 2015)

It was September 2015 and Birmingham Heritage Week. Mainly popped into St Martin's Church at the Bullring for The Big Hoot's Little Hoot, but also got these shots. May have also been to do with Birmingham's Hidden Spaces. The visit on the 12th September 2015. Stained glass windows, the Alabaster Tomb and more!

View feature View community

Birmingham's Hidden Spaces: A look around St Martin's Church (September 2015)





It was September 2015 and Birmingham Heritage Week. Mainly popped into St Martin's Church at the Bullring for The Big Hoot's Little Hoot, but also got these shots. May have also been to do with Birmingham's Hidden Spaces. The visit on the 12th September 2015. Stained glass windows, the Alabaster Tomb and more!


The main reason for this visit was at the time there was various small painted owls inside of St Martin's Church that were part of The Big Hoot's Little Hoot. The trail accompanying The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015 trail. July to September 2015. So this was before the owls were removed and auctioned off for charity.

Here though we will look around the church from the inside.

First look at a pair of stained glass windows. One of these was designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris (the window in the south transept).

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The next stained glass window close to several memorials on the wall.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The walls around this stained glass window came out dark.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This stained glass window above some stone scultural details.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A bunch of pink flowers with a fan behind (elephant on it). Below is a weaved basket holding the flowers. With white flowers seen below.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (5A).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is The Alabaster Tomb.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is an effigy of Sir John de Bermingham, probably early 15th century. Sir John was a knight who fought in the wars of France from 1373 until his death in 1393. Close inspection of this tomb reveals tiny patches of ancient colouring on the sword belt and on the coat of mail.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up of Sir John de Birmingham. Still looking like a Knight after 630 years.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The organ pipes.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

WW1 war memorial (1914 - 1918). For the fallen of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. either side was a pair of Little Hoot owls. Tawney on the left (by King Edward VI Five Ways School), and When I Grow Up on the right (by King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys).

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Stone arches holding up the left side of the church.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Interesting looking carved wooden details towards the wooden doors with glass windows.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Plaque on the wall. On Wednesday 23rd March 1887 the St Martin's Society of Change Ringers rung the bells on the visit of Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Victoria Law Courts (on Corporation Street). The Mayor of Birmingham at the time was Thomas Martineau.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In this room was this centre table with lit candles. You can see that plaque behind.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This wooden carved entrance ways leading to a modern revolving door.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The wooden arched ceiling. Holding up both walls of the church.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some art on this wall. Looks like ghostly crosses to me.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This leads to the churches cafe. Never been in myself. Was probably rebuilt in the early 2000s when the modern Bullring was built.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A waterfall on these metal table things.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another bunch of flowers on a curvy yellow and orange base. Near the metal waterfall thing. And one of The Little Hoot owls.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Share  Spend Points  Connect with us
70 passion points
Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
12 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The changing face of street art over the years at the Custard Factory

Over the years I keep returning time and time again to see what the latest street art is painted at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. You can now get on via the gate at Floodgate Street and walk over the footbridge that crosses the River Rea. Then under the Bordesley Viaduct through the car park towards Gibb Street. Every month the giant billboard art changes. From City of Colours to Hi Viz.

View feature View community

The changing face of street art over the years at the Custard Factory





Over the years I keep returning time and time again to see what the latest street art is painted at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. You can now get on via the gate at Floodgate Street and walk over the footbridge that crosses the River Rea. Then under the Bordesley Viaduct through the car park towards Gibb Street. Every month the giant billboard art changes. From City of Colours to Hi Viz.


Ever changing, the street art always gets painted over. So while the art is gone, the photo of it survives years later.

2013

This view taken on Floodgate Street in Digbeth during Feburary 2013. The Bordesley Viaduct seen crossing from Bordesley towards Birmingham Moor Street Station.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view taken in July 2013 in what is now the Zellig Car Park. Looks like a pirate!

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Custard Factory chimney in November 2013 painted for Movember by Graffiti 4 Hire. It is still there now (yet to be painted over). You can see it from the Zellig Car Park or from High Street Deritend.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

King Kong painted in yellow was outside of The Old Bank on Gibb Street during July 2014. When Adee Phelan opened a salon here. Previously this was Turners Violins. The Clean Kilo is now in this building.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the gates on Floodgate Street. This is an alternate entrance to the Custard Factory. Heading under the Bordesley Viaduct. This view taken during August 2014. Cross the footbridge over the River Rea and cross into the car park for the short walk to Gibb Street.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In October 2014 to check out the wonderful street art painted at the City of Colours Festival during September 2014. The artist was Jimmy C.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2015

This piece taken on Floodgate Street during January 2015. The artist was Gent. Several skeletons here.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Garfield seen on Floodgate Street during March 2015. Although I previously got a photo of this one in October 2014. The gates to the Custard Factory was closed. This was on the day of the St Patrick's Day Parade 2015.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Centre of the Universe. Seen during October 2015. The man at the top is Benjamin Zephaniah. On the left is Felicity Jones (who would go on to star in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2016). This wall regularly gets repainted, usually with giant painted posters adversing something.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2016

The view during April 2016 on Floodgate Street and saw this amazing piece. Not sure of the artist or artists, but was quite close to the Bordesley Viaduct.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The City of Colours Street Art Festival was held again in Digbeth, this time during June 2016. This piece being painted on the wall on Gibb Street. Car park entrance to the right under the Bordesley Viaduct. These artists are amazing. I think it's by Justin Sola (but I'm not fully sure).

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Painted gates on Floodgate Street under the Bordesley Viaduct. This entrance to the Custard Factory was closed. Seen in December 2016. This Must Be the Place painted by Caroline Roose. Probably done at the Summer 2016 City of Colours Festival. It was Boxing Day, so the Custard Factory was probably closed.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

This was seen during February 2017. The bottom of the Moonlight street art painted movie poster. It won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards. I've not seen this film myself.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Temporary hoardings at the Zellig entrance of Devonshire House. Merry Christmas from Zellig seen in December 2017. Nice image of a snowman.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Blade of the Immortal also seen in December 2017 (same day as above). In the Zellig courtyard area.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

The steps from Heath Mill Lane during the snow of March 2018. The walls were very pink down here.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Crossing the River Rea footbridge under the Bordesley Viaduct during April 2018. And I saw this wall painting of a lady with sunglasses. Possibly a piece by Justin Sola (or someone else).

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On Gibb Street in July 2018 under the Bordesley Viaduct. "The Bohemian from Balsall Heath". Painted for Odeon Cinemas. The man is probably Odeon founder Oscar Deutsch. R2D2 from the Star Wars movies was played by the late great Kenny Baker. Felicity Jones by now a star thanks to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The Beatles probably performed in Birmingham in the 1960s.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

Under the Bordesley Viaduct from Floodgate Street during March 2019. The gates to the Custard Factory were open. "Diablo" by Gent 48.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (1A).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Peaky Blinders returned to BBC One in August 2019 with Series 5. And this piece of Tommy Shelby was on the painted billboard wall at the time. Peakys Fan Art by James Mundy.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory Peaky Blinders Tommy Shelby fan art.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Judge Dredd in the Zellig Car Park during October 2019. It was probably painted during the High Viz Street Art Festival, which took place during early September 2019. Saw this during Birmingham Weekender, but I was more interested in the street art.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

 

Share  Spend Points  Connect with us
60 passion points
Jay Mason-Burns Photography
02 Mar 2019 - Jay Mason-Burns
Gallery

Brumgraff:

A look at the ever-changing Street Art on the walls and streets of Birmingham.

View community

Brumgraff:





A look at the ever-changing Street Art on the walls and streets of Birmingham.


Brumgraff: A Look at the ever-changing Street Art on the walls and streets of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BowieStreet.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Annatomix

What follows is a gallery of photographs that I have taken of street art or grafitti art, from around the Birmingham area over the last couple of years.  It's by no means an exhaustive gallery, more simply I guess you could call it an overview of what I have seen and how I have sought to capture this art on camera. Where possible I have given credit to the original artist, but obviously this hasn't always been possible.  

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4545.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: N4T4

Grafitti is a bit of a dirty word.  People have commonly associated it with loutish behaviour, urban neglect, derelict buildings and the pointless vandalism of public areas. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20180716_091935-01.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Grafitti is, perhaps, the oldest Artform we humans have.  Grafitti has been found dating back to neolithic cave paintings, even the ancient Egyptians and Greeks liked to scrawl their names upon their most majestic of buildings. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20180716_092425.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It could be argued that grafitti stems from one of our most basic of urges, to make a mark, to write our names and say 'I was here', to record our progress or to make mockery of authority and express our outrage, boredom or disconnection from society. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20181113_091351.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Ultimately Grafitti is an illegal act, the defacing of a wall, building or public space.  Despite our growing tolerance and even veneration for grafitti, it remains a criminal act, and it has to be said there is sadly a lot of grafitti that has little or no merit beyond selfish vandalism. 

There is also no denying that some artists cross the line to get to places they shouldn't necessarily be to display their masterpieces.  But without that endeavour, that willful urge to push the limits, we wouldn't have such beauty. I think you just have to accept the rough with the smooth. Wine tastes good and fills you with good cheer, but the hangover's always a bitch.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF1796.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Artist: Lucy McClauchlan 

So, do I love grafitti? Oh gosh yes! Absolutely!!

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_1992.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_8416.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

During the 20th Century, in places like New York, grafitti was an expression of youthful rebellion and social opinion that started out as scrawls on boxcars and subway trains and abandoned buildings in a new form of visual language that appropriated styles and genres to suit whatever a person wanted to say. There were, and are, no limits.  

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF9664.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It took root and spread, becoming a recognised sub-cultural art form that has captured the imagination of artists, photographers and writers alike. In places like Northern Ireland and the Palestinian West Bank, large murals were painted on houses and dividing walls in deeply provocative acts of political resistance and human defiance.  Many of these murals remain today as symbols of political hope and identity. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20181129_090735-01.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_1091.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I think identity is one of the defining elements of grafitti, it is about people and the places they live in or inhabit, especially in those deprived and abandoned places where the authorities and politicians hold no sway over creative and personal expression. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4228.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gotta light_preview.jpeg" style="width: 100%;" />

What began as (and remains) an illegal activity has evolved into a dynamic and ever changing art form that has made it's way from the streets into galleries and social spaces.  Grafitti is now often referred to as Street or Urban Art. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20180615_175831_642.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At it's heart grafitti is an ephemeral art form, blink and you'll miss it.  It's art that captures the heart and soul of a place and its people.  It's often provocative, in your face, ironic, laugh out loud funny, sometimes immense in size or quietly beautiful.  Local and national heroes are often memorialised whilst other less worthy public figures are mercilessly ridiculed.  It is joyous, touching and sometimes cruel, but that's life. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_1090.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Pahnl

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4644.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Where I live in Birmingham the street art changes week in week out.  Most mornings on my way to work I detour through the Bournbrook Grounds, a pocket park situated behind the Aldi supermarket in Selly Oak.  It backs on to a large electrical substation, the walls of which act as an enormous canvas for local artists. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_9817.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Here the grafitti is tolerated, and consequently it's become a test bed for many local artists to try out new works.  The art changes all the time, it's wonderful. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BrumWalk_7050.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Hoakser

The next few pictures were taken in the park, over the last few months. Sometimes I will see three different pieces painted on the same wall in just a week.  The art is never boring, even if it's not always to my taste.  It's colourful, dynamic, eye catching and always interesting.  It's like a free open air gallery, the smell of fresh paint fills the air, a radio will be blasting out tunes whilst local students play basketball in the park courts.  It's colourful, lively, human. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20181004_172704.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20190228_090808.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20180615_091115.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20181004_172901.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20180920_090709.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20180907_091228.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

When we think of street art in Birmingham most people think of Digbeth and the walls and railway arches surrounding the creative hub at the Custard Factory. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4170.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Since the old Bird's Custard factory was redeveloped as a media and creative centre of excellence in the early 1990s, the whole of Digbeth has undergone an artistic and suburban renaissance, so much so that the street art now defines the identity of the place, intrinsic to what makes Digbeth tick. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF6258.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: N4T4

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/jay 0706.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The railway arches, factory walls, entire streets and the canals that snake through the area have become a grafitti paradise where street art, in all it's forms, is not just tolerated but positively encouraged. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_8582.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Goldenboy

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_8624-2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Street Art highlights areas like Digbeth, Shoreditch in London and Bedminster in Bristol, giving them a contemporary artistic vibe that attracts tourism and is in tune with the creative types now living and working in the area. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Golden Tow(Path) 180218.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Annatomix

Following on from the example of Bristol's Urban Paint festival, Digbeth has cottoned on to the trend for Street art tourism, firstly by staging the City of Colours fest in 2014 and most recently with the highly successful HighVisFest, which is returning later this year. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4135.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4174.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: PhilthBlake

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4524.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Justin Sola

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4469.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Andrew 'Title' Mills

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4127.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Street Art embraces and subverts all forms of cultural and social discourse, everything is fair game to be depicted, reimagined and used to frame a point of view or simply be a beautiful creation.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF1537.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Street art can be spray painted, poster paste-ups, tiny stickers on lamposts, even lighting and video installations.  In Birmingham we are blessed with a wealth of street artists who live or visit the city regularly, such as Lucy McClauchlan, Annatomix, PhilthBlake, Dan Newso, Justin Sola, Andrew 'Title' Mills and the inimitable Fokawolf. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_5681-Edit-03.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Artist: Lucy McClauchlan

As a photographer and a student of Art I find grafitti, in all it's forms, compulsive viewing and exciting.  Grafitti can literally be anywhere, so it's constantly surprising where it can be seen, on lamposts, trees, bus stops and the dark dirty corners amongst the ruin and detritis of humanity. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_2299.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For myself I like to ground my photos of street art in the wider environment, usually by depicting people around it or interacting with it, so in that way it responds to the life around it. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF1553 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Street Artist: Justin Sola

I really enjoy walking around Birmingham, capturing the ordinary and everyday scenes that make our city so special.  I think street art really adds spice and colour to our urban landscapes, often rendering contrast against the grey ugliness of destitution, dereliction and neglect.  I think street art is the most singular artistic movement of the modern era, it's the art of the common people, it can be done by anybody and not just by the monied educated few.  I object very strongly to the appropriation of street art by the corporate and business quarters looking to buy their way into hearts and minds, but sadly money always talks. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF1814.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bordesley Junction.

I hope you've enjoyed my little odyssey through the street art of Birmingham. For me it's a joy to witness these works and incorporate them into my work. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_6389.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The best way to experience it is in the flesh, so get out there and see it for yourselves. You'll be blown away by the skill and imagination of these people. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSCF4647.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Thanks for reading and if you'd like to see more of my photography you can find me on Instagram and Twitter as @jayjayjjetplane  

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_8489.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Share  Spend Points  Connect with us
70 passion points
Your Place Your Space Photography
18 Jan 2019 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

'Digbeth Community 50' - Photography from Birmingham's People with Passion

Take the post for a great selection of 50 photographs from 'People with Passion'. The photography takes you on a non stop tour through the streets of Digbeth, sharing the fantastic street art, the historic buildings, thriving businesses, Custard Factory, art venues & a neighbourhood that has been named the 'coolest' of Birmingham's neighbourhoods! Enjoy!

View feature View community

'Digbeth Community 50' - Photography from Birmingham's People with Passion





Take the post for a great selection of 50 photographs from 'People with Passion'. The photography takes you on a non stop tour through the streets of Digbeth, sharing the fantastic street art, the historic buildings, thriving businesses, Custard Factory, art venues & a neighbourhood that has been named the 'coolest' of Birmingham's neighbourhoods! Enjoy!


Shaw's Passage - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/@Macpedigree_001.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Bordesley Street - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley street bham Mac McCreery 281217.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

A  letterbox view of Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Digbeth Letterbox_preview.jpeg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Jay Mason-Burns

The Old Crown Pub

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Old Crown Digbeth 110318.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Allison Street - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac0507.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Digbeth Street Art

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/chris fletcher 2307.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

Winter in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 8.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

December in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/tammie 2(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Tammie Naughton

St Patricks Day Parade

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_2540 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Barry Whitehead

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/elliott 3.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Well Lane - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac 2011.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Warwick Bar - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac 0312.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo by Mac McCreery

St Patricks Day Parade

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_2206 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Barry Whitehead

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/chris 2607.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

Fazeley Street - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac 2210.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Curzon Street Station - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_8210b_002.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley

Peaky Blinders Eatery - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/elliott 1907.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Digbeth bike shop

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_6829.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Garry Morris

New Bartholomew Street - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac 1707.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Deretend - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Deritend Digbeth 250218.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/damien 1807.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Damien Walmsley

Custard Factory - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 5.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Devonshire House, now Zellig - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Devonshire House Custard Factory Digbeth (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Custard Factory - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/barry 1608.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Barry Whitehead

New Bartholomew Street - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/New Bartholomew Street Mac McCreery 040118.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

December in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/chris 2012.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

Custard Factory - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac 289.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo by Mac MCreery

The Old Typhoo Building - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/digbeth typhoo factory Mac.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/jay 0806.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Jay Mason-Burns

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/barry0808 art.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Barry Whitehead

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 7.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/jay 412.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Jay Mason-Burns

St Patricks Day Parade

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_2228 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Barry Whitehead

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/elliott 2607.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 9.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

St Patricks Day Parade

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Patricks Parade (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Digbeth Catacombs

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac3105.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

The Cut in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cut in digbeth mac mc.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

The Custard Factory - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/jay 1309.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Jay Mason-Burns

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Split personality - grafitti in digbeth.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo by Barry Whitehead

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MacInDigbeth1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 17.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

St Patricks Day Parade

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DSC_1106 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Barry Whitehead

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 12.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

The Institutue - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac digbeth 6.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Bordesley Street - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/mac 2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

Street Art in Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/chris 2507.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/andy(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Andy Pilkington

Victorian Toilets - Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victorian toilets Digbeth Street Mac McCreery 140118.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Mac McCreery

 

Share  Spend Points  Connect with us
50 passion points
Show more