Issue 01
We are BCU’s creative students and we wanted to show other creative students where the best places are in Birmingham to find hidden art.
THE TEAM
Rochelle, Pheobe, Tudor, Josh and Uwais
CONTENTS What you can expect to find: Art Galleries and Exhibitions such as...
- The Custard Factory The Custard Factory is hidden on the outskirts of the city centre, in Digbeth. It hosts many art events and it’s a spectacular visit.
- Birmingham’s Museum and Art Gallery By looking at the building on the outside, you wouldn’t think it contained so many beautiful things on the inside.
- The Ikon Gallery The Ikon Gallery is hidden behind the busyness of Broad Street. It’s small but perfect for single exhibitions.
- The Library of Birmingham Its not particularly hidden but little do people know, it’s not your everyday library. With exhibitions inside and lots of relaxing spots, it’s perfect for any creative student.
1
2
libraryofbirmingham.com
4
5
Hidden in plain sight
6
D
espite being a brummie, I’ve only ever been to Birmingham’s art gallery twice in my life.
The first time was the week before I started university and the second a week after that, little did I know that I would really enjoy it... I had no reason why I wanted to visit the museum, but two close friends of mine thought that it could be something spontaneous to do as it is open every day and is free to visit. They themselves didn’t particularly need to go to the gallery because they are not interested in art as a subject or even history for that matter but they too enjoyed it.
At one point in the gallery we had a little debate amongst ourselves about the Romans. It shows how you can learn from others and get everyone involved with a new and stimulating thought process. The gallery changes all the time and they often have new exhibitions so you’re most likely to find something new if you wanted to visit again in the future. I like the new information that you can gain and I definitely liked letting them know about my opinions through the various different activities that you could get involved with, such as writing notes around the different sections. It shows how many different people can get involved and enjoy the art gallery.
We didn’t think there would be as many I didn’t think the art gallery would give me people as there was when we visited but such a wide perspective on history and a wide range of people came to see what art. It opened my eyes to many new things the art gallery had to exhibit. We, being and I think I will be returning there in the stereotypical, near future. Before I thought there visited I didn’t expect might be a lot to want to return so “I didn’t think the art gallery of older people many times. And now in there but we we’re even thinking would give me such a wide found that to be about going to other perspective on history and very untrue. galleries around Birmingham and art. It opened my eyes to Before even maybe even out of many new things and I think knowing what Birmingham, because university had as an 18-year-old I will be returning there in in store for me, I creative student, it’s the near future.” decided to take very beneficial to me. photographs And even if I wasn’t I at this museum, think its good to learn just because I found a lot of the stuff there new things and broaden your mind to get a interesting, and of course took a few selfies feel for different viewpoints. too. After knowing my project, I visited the museum a second time, with the same two Its admirable that my friends support me friends, in order to get some inspiration and into going to galleries for my work but also take some relevant photos. because they find interest from it also. Whilst there I did pay attention to some of the history and found the history of Birmingham room quite captivating. It took us from the past to the present and the differences were unusual.
Despite who you are there’s always an opportunity to visit Birmingham’s Art Gallery.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Hidden Art in The Hidden City of Birmingham TeamHideout