Digbeth street art on Fazeley Street from the High Vis Street Culture Festival in 2023

The 2023 High Vis Street Culture Festival was held in Digbeth around Fazeley Street during the weekend of the 12th and 13th August. Although after those dates, other artists such as Annatomix added pieces a few weeks after the event. There is the street art house at 82 Fazeley Street, and the buildings behind towards New Canal Street. This was the 50th Hip Hop anniversary.

High Vis Street Culture Festival during the weekend of the 12th and 13th August 2023 celebrated the 50th annivesary of Hip Hop.

Here are some the great street art found in Digbeth on the 15th and 22nd August 2023.

 

Don't Sleep by Poser on Floodgate Street, Digbeth

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Poser%20HVF%20Floodgate%20St%2015082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In the Ether by Rude Brown Dude on Little Ann Street, Digbeth

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RBD%20Little%20Ann%20St%2015082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A starfield with a planet on Bordesley Street in Digbeth

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Bordesley%20St%2015082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The street art house at 82 Fazeley Street, corner of Andover Street, had been completely repainted, for the first time since 2015.

This is now called The Printmaker's Arms according to the High Vis Street Culture Festival.

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

About a week later the Andover Street side of The Printmaker's Arms was looking finished.  You could even see it from the Digbeth Branch Canal!

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Graf%20House%20Digbeth%2022082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Graf%20House%20Digbeth%2022082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Most of the street art was to be seen on Fazeley Street in Digbeth.

The main piece was the Tempo 33 face that he normally paints all over Birmingham.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A week later, Annatomix had added some art.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Annatomix crab.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Woman by Crysista Sim Simma.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A week later, the space had been filled below NFAZ and High Vis 50 years of Hip-Hop! Annatomix to the right.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Container with eyes and rep lips with lipstick?

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Caravan painted by Scotford Wilds.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Print Makers. The caravan from the week before had now moved.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A cartoon cat with a mask on by Pojek.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

First look at Miscfit on the shutter.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Miscfit again, one week later.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

On the shutters of William Marston Ltd on Fazeley Street was a ghost with a torch.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the William Marston Ltd building on Fazeley Street as a green headed figure with purple top by VCT.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Purple grapes and more art on William Marston Ltd, corner of Fazeley Street and New Canal Street.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Purple grapes on William Marston Ltd again a week later, this time from New Bartholomew Street.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rude Brown Dude on the railway viaduct between New Canal Street and New Bartholomew Street. HS2 has now fenced off the road towards Curzon Street.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography courtesy Elliott Brown

The distinctive street art of Mohammed "Aerosol" Ali around Birmingham

Mohammed "Aerosol" Ali is known in Birmingham for his stencil sprayed on artwork around the City. Such as in Kings Heath, Moseley or Digbeth. Most famous for doing pieces on the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali (who died in 2016). More recently he has done a Malcolm X piece outside The Art Rooms Kings Heath. Plus "I Can't Breathe" Black Lives Matter pieces in 2020.

The art of Mohammed Ali aka Aerosol Ali seen around Birmingham from 2016 until 2021. Note that not all of his pieces displayed here are still visible to see. Some of his art is politcal. Connect with Mohammed on Twitter (click the link above).

 

Digbeth

Location: Bradford Street

Date: June 2018

"The fish, even in the fishermans net, still carries the smell of the sea."

This piece has been painted over, and part of the hoarding is missing as of June 2021.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Digbeth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bradford St Digbeth MA (Jun 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Bradford Street

Date: August 2020

"I Can't Breathe" - Black Lives Matter.

These posters have probably been removed, and other taggers kept writing over it.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Digbeth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bradford St Digbeth MA (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Moseley

Location: Moseley Central - Alcester Road

Date: February 2017.

Deaths in 2016, including Muhammad Ali, Alex Keogh, USA  (Trump election) and Jo Cox.

These hoardings have gone, and Moseley Central was completed in 2018.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley V Alcester Rd MA (Feb 2017) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016). Famous boxer. His namesake Mohammed Ali (no relation), sprayed pieces like this all around the City after Ali died aged 74.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley V Alcester Rd MA (Feb 2017) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

USA (1776-2016). The election of Donald Trump in November 2016. Served one term as the 45th President of the United States (20th January 2017 to 20th January 2021). Succeeded by Joe Biden (as 46th President of the United States), after Trump lost the 2020 election. Trump was banned from all social media platforms early in 2021.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley V Alcester Rd MA (Feb 2017) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Alex Keogh (1988-2016). Not sure about him, other than a young man that died young, at 28. He was a teaching assistant according to the Birmingham Mail. He died of a alcohol and drug overdose at Christmas Eve 2016.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley V Alcester Rd MA (Feb 2017) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Jo Cox (1974-2016). She was MP for Batley and Spen from the 7th May 2015, until she was murdered on the 16th June 2016, in Birstall, West Yorkshire of gun shot wounds, and she was stabbed. She was 41 years old.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley V Alcester Rd MA (Feb 2017) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Kings Heath

Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: June 2016

Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016). This was one of the first pieces I found of Mohammed Ali. He also did similar pieces in Sparkbrook and elsewhere in the City at the time.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Silver St KH MA (Jun 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: October 2019

Greta Thunberg. A teenage environmental activist. She was born in Sweden in 2003. She is now 18 years old. But was 16 when Mohammed Ali sprayed this on the wall.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Silver St KH MA (Oct 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: July 2020

"I Can't Breathe" - Black Lives Matter. This piece had perspex put over it by the Council.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Silver St KH MA (Jul 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: January 2021

2021 - Coronavirus Pandemic, the new year after the disaster that was 2020. The year of vaccines in 2021. This piece is still on the wall.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Silver St KH MA (Jan 2021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: The Art Rooms - High Street

Date: June 2021

Malcolm X on Marshall Street, Smethwick, early February 1965. A few weeks after his return to the US, he was shot dead in New York. Mohammed Ali also painted a Palestine flag on it, during the "Free Palestine" movement. After the bombings in Israel and continuing issues with the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

dndimg alt="Aerosol Ali Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Art Rooms KH MA (Jun 2021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Street art across Birmingham - mapped for you

In and around Birmingham, there is some great street art to enjoy. 

Explore this map and our feature for just a selection of the wonderful street art on offer.  Use the map to plan where to go or enjoy it with us here.

Note: Street art can get painted over and replaced and there is no guarantee that it will be there if you visit.

Street art in Digbeth

Digbeth is renowned for its street art and has attracted a number of extremely talented artists to showcase their art and creativity. Digbeth is home to the High Viz Street Culture Festival and the City of Colours Festival.

 

Black Sabbath

Location: In the short stay car park of Birmingham Coach Station, Rea Street, Digbeth.

Artist: N4T4 and Wingy.

Description: Painted in 2019 during the 50th Anniversary of Black Sabbath, during the High Viz Street Culture Festival.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bham Coach Station (Oct 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Rea St   

Co-ordinates: 52.47471036278989, -1.8885750864166637

 

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

Location: The Paper Mill, Allison Street, Digbeth (inside a car park).

Artist: Unknown

Description: Depicts Dr Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, a pair of US Civil Rights leaders during the 1960s, who were both assassinated. Possibly painted in 2019 for the High Viz Street Culture Festival. This was before the Black Lives Matter movement that started in 2020, after a Police officer killed George Floyd in the USA. There is other political street art in here including former US President Donald Trump, plus former UK PM's David Cameron and Theresa May.

dndimg alt="Martin Luther King and Malcolm X" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MLK and MX Digbeth (Sep 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Allison St

Co-ordinates: 52.477078142706745, -1.8897963145198369

 

Forward in Unity

Location: Nortons beer garden on Meriden Street, Digbeth.

Artist: Gent 48.

Description: Painted during the first year of the Coronavirus Pandemic by Gent 48 in 2020. It was commissioned by Paul Cadman for Art 4 Charity. It resembles the Coronavirus being fought by the NHS, the Police, firemen, who are all real superheroes. The mural has since been turned into a book with signatures, including Gent 48 himself!

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Meriden St

Co-ordinates: 52.47710679118819, -1.88945191507358

 

Bird's Custard

Location: Side wall of Fazeley Studios, Floodgate Street, Digbeth.

Artist: Seven 9 Signs

Description: Looks like a tin of Bird's Custard Powder. Points the direction to the Custard Factory, where eggless custard was manufactured on that site until 1963, by Alfred Bird & Sons.

dndimg alt="Bird's Custard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birds Custard (Feb 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Floodgate St

Co-ordinates: 52.477306844642136, -1.882268268892536

 

Marvel Spider-Man

Location: Custard Factory Car Park (near Heath Mill Lane and Lower Trinity Street), Digbeth.

Artist: Jim Vision

Description: Painted in 2018 around the time that the Marvel Spider-Man game was being launched on the Sony Playstation 4. The game was later remastered in 2020 for the new Sony Playstation 5. Painted for the HiViz Festival.

dndimg alt="Marvel Spider-Man PS4" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lower Trinity St Digbeth SpiderMan (Sept 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Custard Factory Car Park

Co-ordinates: 52.47540435700964, -1.881377469303182

 

Abstract Semi Circle

Location: Proof House Junction of the Grand Union Canal (Digbeth Branch) and the Digbeth Branch Canal.

Artist: Lucy McLauchlan.

Description: It is under the disused Proof House Railway Bridge. In Lucy McLauchlan's distinctive art style of grey, white and black swirls in a semi circle, opposite the canal towpath. The canal here was formerly the Warwick & Birmingham Canal, but is now part of the Grand Union Canal.

dndimg alt="Grand Union Lucy" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Grand Union Digbeth Lucy McLauchlan (Feb 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Proof House Junction

Co-ordinates: 52.48011990320871, -1.8839594857713575

 

Street art in Southside 

 

Bowie

Location: Dudley Street, Southside (opposite Edgbaston Street). Close to being under the Smallbrook Queensway Bridge.

Artist: Annatomix.

Description: Famed popstar David Bowie passed away in 2016. Annatomix painted her original Bowie artwork here shortly after that. But it kept getting vandalised. She repainted Bowie in a different design in 2019. More vandalism in 2020, led to her making a repair with a blindfold over Bowie's eyes.

dndimg alt="Annatomix Bowie" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Annatomix Bowie (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Dudley St

Co-ordinates: 52.476333395707464, -1.8966260612490133

 

Love is Love

Location: Nightingale Bar, corner of Kent Street and Lower Essex Street.

Artist: Inkie

Description: A woman with long flowing rainbow hair in the Gay Village, part of Southside. There is more street art to the right on Kent Street. Painted here in 2017.

dndimg alt="Nightingale" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Kent St (Dec 2017) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Kent St

Co-ordinates: 52.4725526555764, -1.896230195888382

 

Street art in Bordesley

 

Captain "Terminator" America 

Location: On wasteland, High Street, Bordesley.

Artist: The Forty Eights.

Description: It resembles Marvel's Captain America as a Terminator T-800 Endoskelton, or pehaps a zombie.

dndimg alt="Captain Terminator America" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Captain America Terminator Digbeth (Aug 2011).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - High St Bordesley

Co-ordinates: 52.473196117439805, -1.8792848641522124

 

Street art in the Jewellery Quarter

 

Christmas Reindeer

Location: On the railway wall on Vyse Street, Jewellery Quarter (to the right of Jewellery Quarter Station).

Artist: Banksy.

Description: A Christmas reindeer highlighting the issue of homelessness, some people would pose on the bench on the left, as a sleigh. Painted in December 2019. Network Rail protected the piece with perspex. Someone shortly afterwards painted red noses onto it, or splashed paint onto the perspex, but Network Rail regularly cleans it up.

dndimg alt="Banksy reindeer" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Banksy Vyse St JQ (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Vyse St

Co-ordinates: 52.48962435687972, -1.912765177922335

 

 

Street art in Westside

 

Pissing on Banksy

Location: Wall of Bistro Pierre at Gas Street Basin.

Artist: unknown.

Description: A small boy urinating on Banksy. It has been protected by the Canal & River Trust with a sheet of perspex. It's been here since about March 2021.

dndimg alt="Not a Banksy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Not a Banksy GSB 16052021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Google Maps Street View - Gas St Basin

Co-ordinates: 52.47698624880546, -1.9095415509215925

The Lucy McLauchlan Birmingham street art trail

Go on this street art trail around Birmingham of the street art of Lucy McLauchlan aka Beat 13. One piece is in Moseley Park, while the rest can be seen in Birmingham City Centre. Mostly in Digbeth and Eastside. A recent piece went up on Smallbrook Queensway on the hoardings of of what was Superfi. The 48Sheets billboard was there for a short time back in 2012, so is no longer there.

LUCY MCLAUCHLAN aka BEAT 13

For the first Lucy McLauchlan post click here for Todo es Posible (2010-16).

Lucy's unique monochrome street art is in greys, blacks and whites and is in an abstract style. She has painted all around Digbeth. One piece is now in Eastside. More recently she has done a piece on Smallbrook Queensway in Southside.

 

Moseley

Location: Moseley Park & Pool, Moseley, B13 8DD.

Boathouse by Beat 13 (Lucy McLauchlan), 2016

Seen during a visit to Moseley Park during Birmingham Heritage Week. Usually you need a key to enter this park.

Date found: September 2016.

dndimg alt="Moseley Park Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Park Lucy McLauchlan (Sept 2016) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Moseley Park Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Park Lucy McLauchlan (Sept 2016) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Digbeth

Location: Shaw's Passage, Digbeth, B5 5JG. Opposite Original Patty Men and below Birmingham Moor Street Station.

Shaw's Passage Car Park by Beat 13 (Lucy McLauchlan), 2015

In the five years since, this large car park mural has faded quite a bit. The surface where the cars are parked is the remains of a demolished building, so it is uneven to walk on. Shaw's Passage is between Park Street and Allison Street in Digbeth.

Date found: January 2015.

dndimg alt="Shaw's Passage, Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shaws Passage Digbeth Lucy McLaughlan (Jan 2015).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Grand Union Canal (Digbeth Branch) near Warwick Bar, at Proof House Junction, B5 5RH.

Proof House Junction Bridge by Beat 13 (Lucy McLauchlan), 2018 

This is under the Proof House Junction Bridge No 96 and the Proof House Railway Bridge (Disused). It is where the end of the Digbeth Branch Canal joins the Grand Union Canal (formerly part of the Warwick & Birmingham Canal).

Date found: February 2018.

dndimg alt="Grand Union Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Union Digbeth Lucy McLauchlan (Feb 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Grand Union Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Union Digbeth Lucy McLauchlan (Feb 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Eastside

Location: Belmont Row, Eastside. Near the Digbeth Branch Canal on the Lock Keepers Cottage. 7 Belmont Row, B4 7RQ. Close to the Birmingham City University Eastside Campus and Gopsal Street.

Lock Keepers Cottage by Beat 13 (Lucy McLauchlan), 2020.

It is close to the Digbeth Branch Canal at the Belmont Row Bridge and Ashted Lock No 3.

Date found: January 2020

dndimg alt="Belmont Row Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Belmont Row Eastside Lucy McLauchlan (Jan 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Belmont Row Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Belmont Row Eastside Lucy McLauchlan (Jan 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Southside

Location: Pershore Street in Southside near Upper Dean Street. Near the Travelodge. Now the site of Tru Birmingham Student Accommodation, B5 4RW.

48Sheet: Cut Down Tree by Beat 13 (Lucy McLauchlan), 2012.

Back in 2012, various street artists were given the opportunity to put up their street art on billboards around the City Centre, such as this one owned by ClearChannel. This art was only there for a short time, and the billboard is no longer there.

Date found: April 2012.

dndimg alt="48Sheet Lucy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/48Sheet Pershore St Lucy McLauchan (Apr 2012).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Superfi, Smallbrook Queensway. Not far from Snobs at B5 4HX.

Superfi by Beat 13 (Lucy McLauchlan), 2020.

One of the many hoardings on Smallbrook Queensway with street art. Most of it down here by the legend that is Gent 48 and recently one by Annatomix.

Date found: August 2020.

dndimg alt="Lucy Smallbrook Queensway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Superfi Smallbrook Qway Lucy McLauchlan (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Date found: November 2020

dndimg alt="Lucy Smallbrook Queensway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Superfi Smallbrook Qway Lucy McLauchlan (Nov 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Street art by Lucy McLauchlan. Click the link on the left to visit her website.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Todo es Posible by Lucy McLauchlan aka Beat 13 around Birmingham Central Library (2010-16)

Before doing a Lucy McLauchlan Birmingham street art trail, lets have a look at a lost piece that she did. Also known as Beat 13. Todo es Posible was painted by Lucy in July 2010. You could see it on Birmingham Central Library from Chamberlain Square and down Congreve Passage. There was also bits at the other end of Centenary Way near Paradise Forum. Last visible during February 2016.

TODO ES POSIBLE BY LUCY MCLAUCHLAN

From about July 2010 to February 2016, it was possible to see Lucy McLauchlan's Todo es Posible street art all the way around Birmingham Central Library (not covering all of it). It gave you something to look at other than the dated John Madin concrete of the 1960s and 1970s. The library would close in 2013 when the Library of Birmingham opened. And demolished during 2015 to 2016. Including the removal of Paradise Forum.

 

Location: at the time Birmingham Central Library. What is now PwC, One Chamberlain Square, B3 3AX. Note if you go to Chamberlain Square now, you will not find Todo es Posible as it was destroyed during the demolition of Birmingham Central Library in 2016.

 

July 2010

My first look at Todo es Posible down Congreve Passage from Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Jul 2010).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August 2010

A small section of Todo es Posible on the concrete of Birmingham Central Library. Like a bird face. It was to the left of McDonald's at Paradise Forum.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Aug 2010).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

April 2011

Another look at the right half section of Todo es Posible on Congreve Passage. Around what used to be the Art in the Window Gallery. Lucy had painted more of the piece over the windows after this gallery had closed.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Apr 2011).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

November 2012

Cherry pickers in front of Lucy's Todo es Posible street art on Congreve Passage. This view looking left towards Chamberlain Square and the Town Hall.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Congreve Passage (Nov 2012).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

April 2014

Found some more of Lucy's art near Paradise Forum from Centenary Way. Leaves and berries.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Apr 2014) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look at the distinctive bird face near McDonald's at the Chamberlain Square end of Paradise Forum.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Apr 2014) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some of the leaves and berries to the left of McDonald's (it closed down in late 2015).

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Apr 2014) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2015

The right hand side of Birmingham Central Library was behind Paradise Birmingham hoardings, but it was still possible to see Todo es Posible down Congreve Passage. Paradise Forum would close at the end of 2015.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Demo Bham CL Ch Sq (Feb 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2016

Demolition of Birmingham Central Library was well underway by then, and this was the last time to see Todo es Posible before it went to dust.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Feb 2016).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From Centenary Way at the former entrance of Paradise Forum was another of Lucy's leaves and berries art.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Feb 2016) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Centenary Way now goes all the way from Centenary Square to Chamberlain Square in the open air. But at the time was the gutted Paradise Forum and rubble everywhere. One last look at Lucy's artwork on the right through the hoardings window.

dndimg alt="Lucy Todo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lucy McLaughlan Bham Cent Lbry (Feb 2016) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Street art by Lucy McLauchlan 2010. Click the link on the left to visit her website.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

The Annatomix Birmingham street art trail

Annatomix is one of Birmingham's most well known street artists with her unique style of foxes done in origami. Her pieces can be found around Digbeth and Southside. There is also a Birmingham mural in Grand Central, just as you exit or enter from the ramp. She is also known for her David Bowie pieces.

ANNATOMIX

Come with Birmingham We Are and one of their followers of street art Elliott on a digital tour of the street art of Brummie legend Annatomix. Known for her distinctive origami style foxes. She also famously did a piece of David Bowie in Southside (which she had to repaint after multiple vandal attacks). Why can't they leave her art alone?

More digital street art trails coming soon. So watch this space.

 

Digbeth

Location: At Warwick Bar (on the opposite side of the River Rea Aqueduct) on the Grand Union Canal (Digbeth Branch). Close to The Bond, Fazeley Street, Digbeth, B5 5SE. 

Date found: February 2018.

Annatomix Origami Fox

dndimg alt="Annatomix Fox" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Canal Fox (Feb 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Under the Bordesley Viaduct, Custard Factory, Digbeth, B9 4AA.

Date found: April 2018.

Annatomix Origami Fox

dndimg alt="Annatomix Fox" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Custard Factory Fox (Apr 2018) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Under the Bordesley Viaduct, Custard Factory, Digbeth, B9 4AA.

Date found: April 2018.

Annatomix Origami Rabbit

dndimg alt="Annatomix Fox" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Custard Factory Fox (Apr 2018) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Close to Heath Mill Lane entrance and Greenhouse, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA.

Date found: February 2019.

Annatomix Giant Origami Cat and a Small Rabbit

dndimg alt="Annatomix Cat" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Custard Factory Cat (Feb 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Southside

Location: Close to Birmingham Master Locksmiths, Dudley Street, B5 4RU.

Date found: February 2016.

Annatomix Bowie

Her original tribute to the late singer David Bowie who passed away in January 2016, age of 69.

dndimg alt="Annatomix Bowie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Bowie (Feb 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Close to Birmingham Master Locksmiths, Dudley Street, B5 4RU.

Date found: January 2019.

Annatomix Bowie

Version 2, as vandals kept damaging the 2016 piece, but they would target this one as well.

dndimg alt="Annatomix Bowie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Bowie (Jan 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Close to Birmingham Master Locksmiths, Dudley Street, B5 4RU.

Date found: February 2020.

Annatomix Bowie

A repair to the eyes scratched out with a blindfold, sadly vandals kept targetting her work.

dndimg alt="Annatomix Bowie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Bowie (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Detail of the new blindfold and black star above Bowie's head.

dndimg alt="Annatomix Bowie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Bowie (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Next to Rodroj Fish and Chips, 25-27 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4HE.

Date found: November 2020.

Annatomix Origami Fox

Sadly vandalised by the time of my visit, hopefully she can fix it.

dndimg alt="Annatomix Fox" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Fox Smallbrook Qway (Nov 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Grand Central

Location: Opposite NatWest, East Mews, Grand Central Birmingham, B2 4BF.

Date found: February 2019.

Annatomix Mural of Birmingham

Featuring the Library of Birmingham, Rotunda, Selfridges, Birmingham New Street Station and Birmingham Canals (passing people in the way at the time).

dndimg alt="Annatomix Birmingham Mural" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Grand Central (Feb 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Location: Opposite NatWest, East Mews, Grand Central Birmingham B2 4BF.

Date found: November 2020.

Annatomix Mural of Birmingham

With the Library of Birmingham, Rotunda, Bullring Bull and Selfridges (no people in the way due to lockdown).

dndimg alt="Annatomix Birmingham Mural" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix Grand Central (Nov 2020).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Street art by Annatomix. Click the link to the left to visit her website.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.

Forward in Unity by Gent 48 on Meriden Street, Digbeth

While I've been aware of this Gent 48 street art in Digbeth, I wasn't able to travel into the City Centre until I could go on the bus again. With my pass sorted for a 4 week period, I got the bus up to Digbeth, and made my way to Meriden Street. Initally thought it was on Allison Street but couldn't see it there. Behind an old snooker club. Gates locked so took from pavement.

Forward in Unity by Gent 48

It has been around 4 months since I was last able to travel to Digbeth. And many things have changed since then. The street art is mostly the same.

Foka Wolf has done a Love NHS heart at the Custard Factory.

dndimg alt="Love NHS" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Love NHS Custard Factory (July 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Meanwhile famed Birmingham street artist Gent 48 (known for his murals all over Digbeth and Southside) was commissioned to paint Forward in Unity.

It is located on Meriden Street, and an open area just behind a snooker club. Never noticed it before as there used to be billboards on this side.

The gates were locked on Saturday 18th July 2020, so I got these 7 photos (below) from the pavement. I will leave the photos to do the talking.

Thank you NHS and thank you to all keyworkers. Stay alert. Wear a face covering on public transport (and shops from the 24th July 2020).

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also check out Gent 48's murals around the Chinese Quarter and Southside including a recent one in Bath Passage.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

 

New Covid-19 mural in Digbeth by Gent48

See how a great idea by charity campaigner Paul Cadman quickly turned into a great piece of art by talented street artist Gent48 right in the centre of Digbeth. 

Paul Cadman, who many people will know as an active campaigner for charities across Birmingham, ihas been the inspiration behind the latest piece of street art in Digbeth completed by renowned artist Gent48.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman4.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Paul was inspired by an image of a nurse giving the finger to Covid. He was looking for a positive image as opposed to the bad news going out every day.

Paul contacted the renowned artist Gent48 with the proposition of creating a huge mural on the wall of a building in Digbeth.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman5.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Gent48 came up with a vibrant message that could be Birmingham's own. Norton's Bar provided the wonderful back drop.

Follow the commission here and how things developed.  Photography by Digbeth photographer Mac McCreery, amongst others.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman9.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman3.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman7.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman8.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_7549_DxO.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMGP5317_DxO.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_7601_DxO.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/cadman2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_7599_DxO.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The street art has already become a major attraction in Digbeth.  

Go see for yourself at Norton's Bar in Digbeth on Meriden Street, Birmingham. B5 5LS