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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
19 Feb 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Bullring presents Borealis by Dan Acher - 9th to 18th February 2024

From the 9th to 18th February 2024 at the Bullring in Birmingham was an art installation by Dan Acher called Borealis. Based on the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis. It was on Central Street (St Martin's Walk) for 10 days from 5pm to 9pm each evening. Best seen after dark, as the effect didn't really work in daylight I found. Smoke machines and ambient music.

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The Bullring presents Borealis by Dan Acher - 9th to 18th February 2024





From the 9th to 18th February 2024 at the Bullring in Birmingham was an art installation by Dan Acher called Borealis. Based on the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis. It was on Central Street (St Martin's Walk) for 10 days from 5pm to 9pm each evening. Best seen after dark, as the effect didn't really work in daylight I found. Smoke machines and ambient music.


Borealis

BOREALIS THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Borealis recreates one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena over cities around the world. It shifts our emotional experience of familiar urban landmarks and awakens a shared conscience by creating something magical - something that shouldn’t naturally be there. Borealis is about our ancestral communion with nature and our more recent compulsion to control it. As our planet’s climate breaks down, the question arises: will technology one day replace everything that nature currently provides for us?

 

Dan Acher's Borealis was held at the Bullring on St Martin's Walk above St Martin's Square (aka Central Street) from the 9th to 18th February 2024. Time started each evening at 5pm, ended each night at 9pm. Every evening attracted a big crowd looking at the artificial Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Personally I think they should have started it a month earlier, as between 5pm and 6pm, it's not that dark in February, although getting dark after sunset, which is getting a bit later each day now.

 

11th February 2024

First spotted one of the Borealis light towers from Edgbaston Street, after walking from Southside between buses.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2011022024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

12th February 2024

Nice sunset down St Martin's Walk to St Martin in the Bullring, at approx 4:50pm, so 10 minutes before Borealis was due to start. This day I didn't wait for the lights to turn on.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borelais%20St%20Martin%20Bullring%2012022024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borelais%20St%20Martin%20Bullring%2012022024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

14th February 2024

This day, I waited the 5 minutes until 5pm for the multi-coloured lights to turn on, but was cloudy, and you don't really get the full Borealis effect at this time, but noticed the smoke machines going on.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

16th February 2024

That evening was when I hoped to catch Borealis after dark, I even popped to Costa Coffee in Grand Central beforehand after work, but I got there at 5:30pm and it wasn't dark yet, but got the full effect, and not much to see from St Martin's Square below.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2016022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2016022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2016022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

18th February 2024

The last evening, one more attempt, so got the bus up from home, then popped to Caffe Nero in Birmingham New Street Station (other coffee shops close at 5pm). Then got here for 6:30pm, and got a lot of photos of it, best I could, these are the best photos I took of Borealis.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Borealis is next scheduled to go to Australia in Adelaide. It goes around the world.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
07 Feb 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Annatomix wildlife street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside below the HS2, Curzon No 3 Viaduct site

In the summer of 2023 on the Digbeth Branch Canal between Curzon Street and Curzon Street Tunnel in Eastside, Annatomix was painting wildlife street art for HS2, below where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. By the autumn it wasn't complete, and as of winter 2023-24, it is now badly tagged by graffiti vandals, so not sure if it will be repaired / repainted or not.

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The Annatomix wildlife street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside below the HS2, Curzon No 3 Viaduct site





In the summer of 2023 on the Digbeth Branch Canal between Curzon Street and Curzon Street Tunnel in Eastside, Annatomix was painting wildlife street art for HS2, below where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. By the autumn it wasn't complete, and as of winter 2023-24, it is now badly tagged by graffiti vandals, so not sure if it will be repaired / repainted or not.


July 2023

Annatomix started painting the commissioned street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside for HS2 in the middle of summer 2023.  This would be where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct.

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20Curzon%20St%20DBC%20HS2%2019072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20Curzon%20St%20DBC%20HS2%2019072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August 2023

Just one update in the late summer, as Annatomix worked away at her art. I walked past towards the Curzon Street Tunnel. Decided to wait a few months to see if it was finished or not.

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DGCE%2022082023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

October 2023

A major update of the Annatomix street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in the middle of Autumn 2023. It was looking good at the time, but she was having a break at the time for about a month. There was also a message at one end "if you like the art please stop drawing on it".

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2024

In the months since, taggers and graffiti vandals have been drawing / writing all over the street art, and it looked like Annatomix didn't return (health reasons I think). Meanwhile HS2 had put up rusted weathering steel triangular trusses for the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. Am not sure if it is worth her coming back in future to fix / repaint the art here (her other pieces around the city get tagged as well).

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
18 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The Beacon of Hope at St Martin in the Bullring

From the 15th to 27th January 2024 outside of St Martin in the Bullring is a temporary stained glass installation called The Beacon of Hope, by Ugandan artist Matt Kayem. It was commissioned by Christian Aid.

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The Beacon of Hope at St Martin in the Bullring





From the 15th to 27th January 2024 outside of St Martin in the Bullring is a temporary stained glass installation called The Beacon of Hope, by Ugandan artist Matt Kayem. It was commissioned by Christian Aid.


The Beacon of Hope

From 15-27 January 2024, beaming brightly in the grounds of St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, our stained-glass style ‘Beacon of Hope’ will create an awe-inspiring spectacle of light and colour with messages of hope to lift everyone’s spirits.

From Blue Monday, the Beacon will illuminate five powerful messages of hope about hunger, equality, health, climate, and injustice.

Each message of hope was brought to life by Ugandan artist, Matt Kayem, from and working in Kampala. Matt’s work explores identity, race, history, and culture through installations, collage-paintings and photography.

Working in his signature style Matt used recycled denim, sourced from the markets of Kampala then stretched onto frames, as the unique canvas for his vivid, colourful creations.

 

 

I first saw information about The Beacon of Hope, from this banner on St Martin in the Bullring. I was on the bus on the 12th January 2024 heading to my terminus stop. It tells you that it will be here from the 15th to 27th January 2024.

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/SMitB%20Beacon%20Hope%2012012024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A few days after the Lord Mayor of Birmingham unveiled The Beacon of Hope, I got a couple of photos of it, shortly after arriving at the Bullring. There is about four stained glass panels. Seen on the 17th January 2024.

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
07 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Birmingham Cathedral: Divine Beauty at Night

This is the second year that Divine Beauty at Night has been held at Birmingham Cathedral. This time from the 4th to 6th January 2024. After the Edward Burne-Jones stained glass windows were cleaned and restored during 2023. I went on the evening of the 6th January 2024. Was in a queue outside initially, and got in a little late due to a technical issue, but once in, it was amazing!

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Birmingham Cathedral: Divine Beauty at Night





This is the second year that Divine Beauty at Night has been held at Birmingham Cathedral. This time from the 4th to 6th January 2024. After the Edward Burne-Jones stained glass windows were cleaned and restored during 2023. I went on the evening of the 6th January 2024. Was in a queue outside initially, and got in a little late due to a technical issue, but once in, it was amazing!


St Philip's Church commissioned the famous Arts & Crafts firm of Morris & Co and the artist Edward Burne-Jones to design and construct three stained glass windows in 1884.

He chose three subjects for the windows:

The Ascension (completed 1885)

dndimg alt="Burnes-Jones windows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Burne%20Jones%20windows%20Bham%20Cathedral%20St%20Philip%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Nativity (1887-8)

dndimg alt="Burnes-Jones windows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Burne%20Jones%20windows%20Bham%20Cathedral%20St%20Philip%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Crucifixion (1887-8)

dndimg alt="Burnes-Jones windows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Burne%20Jones%20windows%20Bham%20Cathedral%20St%20Philip%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

These were in the newly enlarged chancel.

 

About a decade later a fourth window followed, the Last Judgement (1897).

dndimg alt="Burnes-Jones windows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Burne%20Jones%20windows%20Bham%20Cathedral%20St%20Philip%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

During World War 2 (1939-45) they were removed to a Welsh slate mine to keep them safe.

In 2023, the Divine Beauty Project started, and the windows were fully restored and cleaned.

The first Divine Beauty at Night took place from the 12th to 14th January 2023. The second from the 4th to 6th January 2024. Both events organised by Luxmuralis.

 

Divine Beauty at Night 2024

On Saturday 6th January 2024, was the third evening / night of Divine Beauty at Night. Held for the second year. Was a long queue, with the timed ticketed slots, but the delay was due to a technical issue, meaning the show started a bit late. So got into Birmingham Cathedral around 20 minutes later than expected, but was worth it once I got in the building.

The Divine Beauty at Night lights show of the Burne-Jones windows lasted about 25 minutes, it was quite impressive. A gallery of photos is below.

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20aN%20BC%20mob%2006012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(21).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(22).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(23).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(24).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(25).JPG" style="width: 100%;" /> Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
04 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Graham Jones wood carving sculptures across Birmingham and the West Midlands

There is many wooden carving sculptures across Birmingham and the West Midlands region by local woodcarver Graham Jones. There is collection in Selly Oak Park. Recent ones have been installed in Hall Green and Swanshurst Park. In the past he's made ones for the Lickey Hills Country Park and Jephson Gardens, Leamingon Spa.

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Graham Jones wood carving sculptures across Birmingham and the West Midlands





There is many wooden carving sculptures across Birmingham and the West Midlands region by local woodcarver Graham Jones. There is collection in Selly Oak Park. Recent ones have been installed in Hall Green and Swanshurst Park. In the past he's made ones for the Lickey Hills Country Park and Jephson Gardens, Leamingon Spa.


Graham Jones | Wood Carver

He has over 30 years experience of creating public wood carvings. Many of them can be found in Birmingham, and other areas.

 

Copper Beech Tree bench and snail

Location: Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa.

Wooden carving from an oak tree that was felled in 2013 in Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa. Seen near the Parade and River Leam. It was carved by Graham Jones from a  copper beech tree. The tree had been there from the 1840s to 2013.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CBT%20Jephson%20Gardens%20RLS%20(May%202016)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CBT%20Jephson%20Gardens%20RLS%20(May%202016)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CBT%20Jephson%20Gardens%20RLS%20(May%202016)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CBT%20Jephson%20Gardens%20RLS%20(May%202016)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CBT%20Jephson%20Gardens%20RLS%20(May%202016)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Spirit of the Woods

Location: Lickey Hills Country Park, on Bilberry Hill. Not far from the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre.

A carved wooden sculpture called The Spirit of the Woods. Made by Graham Jones in 1993. Part of a Sculpture Trail. The sculpture trail was first commissioned in 1991 by Birmingham City Council and the Arts Council.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LHCP%20GJ%20Spirit%20ot%20Woods%20(Apr%202017)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LHCP%20GJ%20Spirit%20ot%20Woods%20(Apr%202017)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Galton Valley Owl

Location: Opposite the Galton Valley Pumping Station on the Birmingham Canal Navigations Old Mainline (Wolverhampton Level). Near Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick.

Probably installed in 2023. Close to The Galton Valley Canal Heritage Area.

dndimg alt="Galton Valley Owl" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wooden%20owl%20Smethwick%20BCNOML%2001012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Galton Valley Owl" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wooden%20owl%20Smethwick%20BCNOML%2001012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Owl Totem Pole

Location: Elmdon Park, Solihull

The totem pole was created from ideas put forward by local schools, after an Oaks and Shires event in 2004.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elmdon%20Park%20(Dec%202015)%20(11)%20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Owl%20totem%20Elmdon%20Park%20(Dec%202015)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Owl%20totem%20Elmdon%20Park%20(Dec%202015)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Owl%20totem%20Elmdon%20Park%20(Dec%202015)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Twitters

Location: Elmdon Park, Solihull

'Twitters' came to Elmdon Park in 2003 and is carved from a tree that was removed from the park.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elmdon%20Park%20(Dec%202015)%20(12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Swanshurst Park Centenary Pole

Location: Swanshurst Park, near Yardley Wood Road, closer to Moseley than Billesley, in view of the Moseley New Pool.

A wooden totem with a painted black swan on the side and a crow on top. Installed in 2023 for the Friends of Swanshurst Park group for the Centenary of Swanshurst Park (1923 - 2023).

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swanshurst%20Park%20GJ%20wooden%2023112023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swanshurst%20Park%20GJ%20wooden%2023112023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swanshurst%20Park%20GJ%20wooden%2023112023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swanshurst%20Park%20GJ%20wooden%2023112023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swanshurst%20Park%20GJ%20wooden%2023112023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swanshurst%20Park%20GJ%20wooden%2023112023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hall Green

Location: Greet Mill Meadow, Shire Country Park, near Stratford Road, Hall Green.

Installed in 2022 for the Hall Green's Keepin' It Clean litter buster group.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HG%20Greet%20Mill%20Meadow%20SCP%2016092022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Be green because we're Hall Green let's make a difference

Location: Between Stratford Road and Reddings Lane on York Road in Hall Green. Behind the Apple Green petrol station.

Installed in 2023 for the Hall Green's Keepin' It Clean litter buster group.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Keep%20Hall%20Green%20Clean%20(Dec%202023)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Keep%20Hall%20Green%20Clean%20(Dec%202023)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Dragon Bench

Location: Outside of Hall Green Library on the Stratford Road.

The Dragon Bench was  carved by Graham Jones in 2002. It was unveiled in February 2003, on the 40th anniversary of the library. May have been inspired by the dragon Smaug in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (Tolkien lived down the road in the hamlet of Sarehole in the early 1900s as a small boy). May have been done in association with pupils of Hall Green School.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon%20bench%20HGL%20(Sep%202009)%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon%20bench%20HGL%20(Sep%202009)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon%20bench%20HGL%20(Sep%202009)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon%20bench%20HGL%20(Sep%202009)%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon%20bench%20HGL%20(Sep%202009)%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Chinn Brook Meadows

Location: Chinn Brook Meadows, Shire Country Park. Near Highfield Road, Yardley Wood.

Carved from the remains of a tree trunk. Image of a swan and flowers on it, plus a hand.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn%20Brook%20Meadows%20SCP%20(Jan%202017)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn%20Brook%20Meadows%20SCP%20(Jan%202017)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn%20Brook%20Meadows%20SCP%20(Jan%202017)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn%20Brook%20Meadows%20SCP%20(Jan%202017)%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Roots and Branches

Location: Handsworth Park.

Wooden carving by Graham Jones & cast in metal by Tim Tolkien.

Four trees with extended roots on the ground in steel which can be used as seats. Roots extend out above the ground forming seating with the inner space proving a meeting place. Made in 2019-20. Part of the Handsworth Park Arts Trail.

dndimg alt="Roots and Branches" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth%20Park%20(Sep%202021)%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Commonwealth of Nations

Location: St Thomas' Peace Garden.

These appear to have been made for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in mind. The Commonwealth replaced the British Empire in name in 1949. There was also a wooden table here, and mosaics on the ground.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peace%20Garden%20B2022CG%20GJ%2031122023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peace%20Garden%20B2022CG%20GJ%2031122023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peace%20Garden%20B2022CG%20GJ%2031122023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peace%20Garden%20B2022CG%20GJ%2031122023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peace%20Garden%20B2022CG%20GJ%2031122023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peace%20Garden%20B2022CG%20GJ%2031122023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

Lapal - Welcome to Selly Oak Park

Location: Selly Oak Park.

Part of the sculpture trail for the Friends of Selly Oak Park in 2011.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Pk%20GJ%20(Jun%202012)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(Jan%202017)%20(1)%20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(Jan%202017)%20(2)%20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(March%202018)%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bench in memory of Geoff Bartlett, Found Friend of Selly Oak Park

Location: Selly Oak Park.

Part of the sculpture trail for the Friends of Selly Oak Park in 2011.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Pk%20GJ%20(Jun%202012)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(Jan%202017)%20(3)%20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Deer or kangaroo

Location: Selly Oak Park.

Part of the sculpture trail for the Friends of Selly Oak Park in 2011.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Pk%20GJ%20(Jun%202012)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(Jan%202017)%20(5)%20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Carved log bench

Location: Selly Oak Park.

Part of the sculpture trail for the Friends of Selly Oak Park in 2011.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Pk%20GJ%20(Jun%202012)%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Nuthatch

Location: Selly Oak Park.

Part of the sculpture trail for the Friends of Selly Oak Park in 2011.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Pk%20GJ%20(Jun%202012)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Pk%20GJ%20(Jun%202012)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Selly Oak Park bench

Location: Selly Oak Park.

Part of the sculpture trail for the Friends of Selly Oak Park in 2011.

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(May%202020)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Graham Jones" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20(May%202020)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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