Mali Morris Calling and Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome at the IKON Gallery

From September to December 2023, there is two art exhibitions located at the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square, Brindleyplace. Head up to Level 1 for Mali Morris Calling and then up to Level 2 for Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome. Use the stairs or the lift.

Mali Morris Calling

You can see some of Mali Morris Calling art outside of the IKON Gallery from Oozells Square, in Brindleyplace. The exhibition opened on 20th September, and will run to 22nd December 2023.

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Head up the stairs for a look at the Mali Morris Calling art exhibition on Level 1.

A major solo exhibition by British artist Mali Morris. Calling has nearly 30 works from the last 25 years.

Morris's first solo exhibition was held at the Ikon Gallery on John Bright Street in 1979, so she returns to the Ikon now at Brindleyplace, some 44 years later to transform the galleries space into fields of colour and light.

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Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome

For Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome, just head up to Level 2 of the Ikon Gallery to see it.

An exhibition of Pop Art and Prison Art by Dean Kelland, with new films, prints and sketchbooks, since the 1960s. Referencing popular figures such as Elvis Presley and David Bowie. 

Kelland had a four year residency at HMP Grendon (2019-2023).

He chose the title Imposter Syndrome, reflecting his experience at an all male prision.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

Ten years of free exhibitions in The Gallery at the Library of Birmingham

The Gallery is on Level 3 (the third floor) of the Library of Birmingham. There has been several exhibitions in this space between 2013 and 2023. From the Reference Works exhibition in September 2013 to The Birmingham Allotment Project in September 2023. Plus a couple related to Shakespeare and Watt in between.

2013: Reference Works

3rd September to 29th December 2013.

The very first exhibition in The Gallery at the Library of Birmingham, from September 2013 was Reference Works. Birmingham Central Library in 2010 commissioned four photographers - Michael Collins, Brian Griffin, Andrew Lacon and Stuart Whipps to make individual creative responses to the emergence of the Library of Birmingham. The four artists also mentored students and graduates from Birmingham City University. There was also an exhibition outside of the Library of Birmingham at the time in Centenary Square, with historic images of the old Central libraries from the 1882 to 2013.

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2014: Voices of War

29th September to 31st December 2014

Voices of War: Birmingham People 1914-19 transports us back to Birmingham during the First World War and tells the stories of local people.

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2015: Mat Collishaw - In Camera

18th September 2015 to 10th January 2016.

The room was dark with this art installation by Mat Collishaw. In Camera means Camera Obscura (Latin for dark chamber). It features a series of 12 crime scene negatives made for the Birmingham City Police Force during the 1930s and 1940s. Collishaw discovered the uncatalogued images. Using flashing bulbs.

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2016: Our Shakespeare

22nd April to  3rd September 2016.

It commemorated the 400th anniversary of the death of the bard William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616). Also relating to the Shakespeare Memorial Room and George Dawson.

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2017: Pavel Brázda is Here! 

1st June to 1st July 2017.

Didn't go to this one, just saw the signs from outside of the library at the time.

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2017: Connecting Stories

Around October 2017 there was an Indian tricycle (Rickshaw) in front of The Gallery. Behind was an exhibition at the time called Connecting Stories (didn't go into that one).

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2018: Wholesale Memory

29th January to 7th April 2018.

Friction Arts presents the Wholesale Memory Exhibition. The Smithfield Wholesale Markets have been on their present site for 900 years but they moved later in 2018 to Witton to make way for the Smithfield redevelopment.

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2018: The Empire Windrush Generation Exhibition

24th May to 30th June 2018.

Celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Empire Windrush ship with Black Britions who emigrated to the UK from the Caribbean, in 1948.

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2019: Watt in the World

12th July to 2nd November 2019.

Commemorated the bicentenary of the death of James Watt (1736 - 1819). As well as his life and legacy.

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2022: Everything to Everybody

22nd July to 5th November 2022.

Was part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival. Was about creating the Shakespeare Library.

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2023: The Birmingham Allotment Project. Wotta Lotta Culture!

Saturday 16th September to Saturday 25th November 2023.
A snapshot of Birmingham's vibrant allotment culture from the 1960s to the present day.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

Bell Ringing Chamber at St Martin in the Bullring for Birmingham Heritage Week

I went on the 1pm tour of the Bell Ringing Chamber, which is halfway up the spire in St Martin in the Bullring on the 14th September 2023. Was just me and another lady on the tour, plus the two bell ringer volunteer experts. This would be my last Birmingham Heritage Week visit of the 2023 season I think. I even got to try and ring some hand bells.

They were having tours of the Bell Ringing Chamber at St Martin in the Bullring for Birmingham Heritage Week, from Thursday 14th, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September 2023, starting at 1pm, they should last around 45 minutes to 1 hour per tour.

I went on the 1pm tour on the 14th September 2023, I waited for around 20 minutes in the prayer chapel below the spire tower, and signed a form with my name while I waited.

Since 1991, there has been 16 bells in the spire, before that there was previously 12 bells. The current bells cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London.

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The main guide was pointing to the two tablets, the first one marking the 81st birthday of Queen Victoria in May 1900, and the second one after her death, they rang bells in February 1901.

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There is tablets all around the room, recording when the rang the bells for over 3 hours for special occasions.

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The two ropes here, one of the guides showed us how he rings the bell, it starts in an upright position.

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Made a video of him bellring here.

 

Hand bells

These are the hand bells, we later had a go with. Got to try ringing two bells, which was easier said than done. We rang them in a loop, then Queens (right bell everyone, then left bell everyone).

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Model bell

A model of what a bell in the tower above would look like. They usually leave it in an up position. And there is wooden break at the bottom which stops it going all the way around. The wheel has a hole in it which is usually attached to the rope.

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The Taylor Trophy

Every year there is a bell ringing competition across the country, and since 2011, Birmingham has won it 8 times! Congratulations St Martin's bellringers!

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Some wall tablets of note

On the occasion of Queen Victoria's 81st birthday, 12 members of the  St Martin's Guild of Change Ringers rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 41 minutes, on Thursday 24th May 1900.

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A year later, after Queen Victoria's death on the 22nd January 1901. St Martin's Guild of Change Ringers, on Tuesday 26th February 1901 rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 50 minutes.

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On the occasion of the coronation of King George V & Queen Mary on 22nd June 1911, the St Martin's Guild of Church Bell Ringers rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 57 minutes (a ladder was in the way).

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On the occasion of the coronation of King Georve VI & Queen Elizabeth on the 12th May 1937, St Martin's Guild of Church Bell Ringers rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 40 minutes.

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Two blanks panels here, left to record the ringing of the bells in 2022 to mark the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

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16 new bells were installed in 1991, and the St Martin's Guild of Church Bell Ringers rang them for the first time on Tuesday 16th November 1993 for 3 hours and 44 minutes. It was the 5000th peal for the guild.

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In November 2008 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of St Martin's Band. The first peal was rung on 19th November 1758 for 3 hours & 22 minutes with 5040 Grandsire Caters. On the 19th November 2008 they rang the bells for 3 hours & 20 minutes with 5040 Grandsire Caters. Then on the 22nd November 2008, they rung the bells for 3 hours & 55 minutes with  5250 Bristol Surprise Sixteen.

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Other objects of note

Royal coat of arms looking golden.

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A clock in memory of George E Fearn (1906 - 1974). Secretary of St Martin's Guild of Bellringers from 1949 to 1968. Ringer at this tower for 45 years and tower master warden and ringing master from 1961 to 1874. Leading peal ringer with 2667 peals.

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A black and white photograph of Roderick W Pipe (1940 - 2011). A member of St Martin's Band, composer, conductor, innovator and visionary. A memorial peal of Stedman Cinques was rung here on Monday 11th April 2011. The room was renovated in his memory in 2013.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

St Paul's Church in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Heritage Week visit

I popped into St Paul's Church in the Jewellery Quarter to see the interiors of the church during Birmingham Heritage Week on the 12th September 2023. Some seven years after I did the Belfry / bell tower climb (September 2016). But back then didn't look inside of the actual church. This time it was less busy, was one tour group in there. Found the Hollins memorial.

St Paul's Belfry 2016 post from 2019.

St Paul's Church in the Jewellery Quarter was open most days of Birmingham Heritage Week during September 2023. This visit was on the 12th September 2023. Just a quick look around. Noticed a group on a guided tour.

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Royal Coat of Arms at the west end of the church, above the balcony.

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The east window was was made by Francis Eginton in 1791 and modelled on an altarpiece painted about 1786 by Benjamin West, representing the Conversion of Saint Paul.

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There is two stained glass windows on one side of the church. And one panel from the year 2000 on the other side.

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The stained glass window with angels on it, is near the bust and memorial of William Hollins, architect and sculptor.

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This more modern stained glass window from the year 2000, as we entered the new millennium.

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As you head into St Paul's Church, on your right is a sculpture of John B. Surman, architect of the restoration, from 1949 to 1951.

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This small chapel area on the far left of the east window, there is a cross inside, which they probably use at Easter to recreate the Crucifixion parade through the streets. Also candles to light.

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A golden eagle lectern and a piano.

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Near the organ was these flags from the regiments who served in various conflicts.

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The organ next to the flags and east window.

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Two brass floor plates / plaques. The first was in memory of the members of this Parish who fell in the First World War (then known as the Great War) 1914 - 1918, and later the Second World War 1939 - 1945.

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Another brass plaque in memory of a boy called Ralph Andrew Watkyn Stevens, who was born on the 22nd September 1944 and died aged almost 15 on the 25th August 1959. He was the son of Ralph Stevens (the then Vicar of this Parish) and of Gwen Stevens.

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Near a stained glass window is a marble bust of the architect and sculptor William Hollins (1763 - 1843). He remodelled St Paul's Church in 1820.

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As well as William Hollins, there is a memorial for his wife Catherine (1764 - 1831).

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As well as a memorial to Thomas Hollins (died in 1821), an artist, plus members of his family, who passed away during the 19th century. Many members of the Hollins family became artists. 

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Photos by Elliott Brown

A Birmingham Heritage Week visit to St Alban's Church in Highgate

St Alban's Church in Highgate, Birmingham was open for free visits on Sunday 10th September 2023, as part of Birmingham Heritage Week / Heritage Open Days. The entrance was on Stanhope Street. The staff / volunteers were so welcoming, they gave you laminated information cards, including a map of the church. Plus you could have tea / coffee and biscuits in the church hall.

I caught the 50 bus up to Moseley Road in Balsall Heath, getting off near Moseley Road Baths, before walking to Highgate via Balsall Heath Road, then crossing at the lights near Birmingham Central Mosque. St Alban's Church was not that far away.

You can compare and contrast the church tower completed in 1938 at St Alban's Church to the new domes at the Birmingham Central Mosque extension completed in 2022.

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History of St Alban's Church

The church located at Conybere Street and Stanhope Street in Highgate was built from 1879 to 1881, and was designed by  John Loughborough Pearson.

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Both this church and Ark St Alban's Academy grew from a religious and educational mission started by the brothers James and Thomas Pollock in 1865.

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This was a developing area on the edge of Birmingham of factories and poor housing.

A tower and spire was added in 1938 by Edwin Francis Reynolds.

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The interior features stained glass east window by Henry Payne.

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In the south chapel is a copper Arts and Crafts triptych with painted panels by local artists Kate and Myra Bunce, and donated by them in 1919 in memory of their sisters and parents.

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The roof was completely renewed in 2020.

It has been a Grade II* listed building since 1952.

The church is open for heritage visits during Birmingham Heritage Week every September.

 

Exteriors of St Alban's Church

The approach to St Alban's Church from Highgate Street, then walked up Thomas Benson Place and James Samuel Place (cul-de-sac's named after the Pollock brothers, bollarded in the middle), to Conybere Street.

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The Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque for Kate Elizabeth Bunce was unveiled on Conybere Street in 2015. She crafted fine reredos for a chapel in this church with her sister Myra.

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The bottom of the tower with blue plaque.

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Main entrance on Stanhope Street, just up the steps, then open the door in the porch on the left.

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There is a memorial cross outside in memory of the founders of this church,  James Samuel Pollock and Thomas Benson Pollock. Which started in 1865, and finished by 1897.

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From Stanhope Street. The church also known as Saint Alban and St. Patrick Anglican- Catholic Tradition. But usually just as St Alban's Church.

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The church hall is to the rear of the church. Some heritage lampposts down this path.

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Church interiors

Just after entering, first look at the Victorian gothic architecture. Volunteers were to the right of here, they give you laminated information cards to read as you go around.

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A statue of St Alban the Martyr, whom this church was named after.

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A golden eagle lecturn for the vicar to give sermons from. Currently that is Dr Gerald Sykes (from 2017 to present).

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The High Altar is to the east of the church.

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The organ to the north side of the church, and close to the door, that leads to the church hall at the back.

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Wooden pulpit.

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Stained glass rose window to the west side of the church.

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Photos by Elliott Brown