Birmingham Hippodrome
The starting point of the self-guided tour, Birmingham Hippodrome is a cultural hub that gives everyone the chance to experience unforgettable theatrical performances, arts and culture.B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival is an annual festival produced by Birmingham Hippodrome and partner organisations. B-SIDE is back to celebrate its 5th year with generous funding support from Arts Council England. Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the festival takes on a different form – IN-SIDE and OUT-SIDE.Having been closed to the public since March, Birmingham Hippodrome re-opens it's doors on 8th October to host the UK premiere of Van Gough Alive. Don’t just admire Van Gogh’s paintings – immerse yourself in them in the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. No ordinary art exhibitio – Van Gogh’s works have been exhibited and admired for over a century – but never like this.
#CrossWithPride - Hurst Street
One of two pieces of artwork by Genius Creations along the route - the 'Cross With Pride' walkway - taking central stage in the pedestrianised area of Hurst Street. Artist James Cowper of Genius Creations has said it brings a much-needed "burst of positivity." The graphic designer, who is also a drag performer under the name Gavina, was commissioned by the Southside Business Improvement District (BID) to create this piece of artwork.The artwork is based on the Progress flag which adds a chevron and extra colours to the traditional rainbow flag. The eleven colours are important as it reflects the diverse drag community in the city.The district not only has drag queens and drag kings, but bio queens and members of the trans community as well as people of colour - that's why Birmingham's drag scene is so fantastic.
Gent48 - Wrottesley Street Artwork
Heading down Ladywell Walk and taking a quick look into Wrottesley Street, at the far end you will see a large scale piece of street art, one of many pieces of artwork created by Birmingham based Gent48 along the route. Gent 48, aka Josh Billingham, ranks among the most talented and prolific graffiti writers in Birmingham. Best known for his character-driven murals, he has exported his creative talents as far afield as Australia and has picked up numerous awards along the way. Gent 48's unmistakable artwork can be witnessed across Birmingham and beyond.
Vision Artwork - The Arcadian
Enter The Arcadian from Ladywell Walk and on the wall into the central piazza you will see a striking piece of graffiti which was created for B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival 2019. The piece - Vision was produced by...
Arcadian Car Park Mural
Head up the steps (or use the lift inside The Arcadian Centre) to make your way up to Level 1 of The Arcadian Car Park (entrance to the left hand side of Las Iguanas). Inside the car park you will discover a large mural, created as part of B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival 2019. A collaboration of many local street artists came together to produce the large scale mural, encapsulating elements of the festival and artists involved. If you didn't make it last year, this space of the car park was closed and transformed into a live arena, with a programme of breakin' and hip hop dance battles over the festival weekend. This years festival took on a different form due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but be sure to check out B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival Online programme via the Birmingham Hippodrome website and all of the B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival social media channels - and we can't wait to welcome you when we can all be back together in person at the event next year.
#CrossWithPride - Rainbow Walk - The Arcadian
Heading back out of The Arcadian Car Park and walking out along Hurst Walk - The second piece of artwork created by Genius Creations along the route - the 'Cross With Pride' walkway - but this piece of artwork is a whole Rainbow Walk with the addition of a Rainbow Canopy - inside The Arcadian Centre. Artist James Cowper of Genius Creations has said it brings a much-needed "burst of positivity." The graphic designer, who is also a drag performer under the name Gavina.This Cross With Pride crossing also features a Rainbow Canopy, replicating the colours of the Cross With Pride crossing. The artwork is based on the Progress flag which adds a chevron and extra colours to the traditional rainbow flag. The eleven colours are important as it reflects the diverse drag community in the city.The district not only has drag queens and drag kings, but bio queens and members of the trans community as well as people of colour - that's why Birmingham's drag scene is so fantastic.
Street Art - Las Iguanas & The Arcadian
A brand new piece of street art created as part of B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival & Hi Vis Street Culture Festival 2020 at the end of September 2020 on Hurst Walk next to the Rainbow Crossing out of The Arcadian Centre towards Hurst Street.This new piece of artwork was designed and painted by Birmingham based street artist ThatBlokeWilson - https://www.thatblokewilson.co.uk/
The Nightingale Club & Hurst Street
Heading down Essex Street and into Kent Street you will come to the front of Nightingale Club - where there is a collection of artwork created by various artists from across the city. Kent Street Rainbow Canopy: The third piece of artwork created by Genius Creations along the route - the 'Rainbow Canopy'. Artist James Cowper of Genius Creations has said it brings a much-needed "burst of positivity." Nightingale Club: Love Is Love - This piece of artwork was created by Inkie and celebrates the positivity of the district and the appreciation for this much loved club. Along Kent Street you will also see great pieces of work by graffiti artists Roots & Chunxx.
Hurst Street
Taking a walk from Kent Street into Hurst Street and the surrounding area you will come across various pieces of Street Art from some of the regions street graffiti artists. Notably, on Hurst Street Car Park there are various pieces of work created during lockdown earlier in the year to bring new life temporarily to the development sites.
Hawkers Yard
Turning left onto Pershore Street and walking up the road you will pass the former site of bar Hawkers Yard that was the site for our graffiti jam as part of B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival 2019, we took over the empty site at the time and covered it with some amazing works of art!The frontage remains and similar to the B-SIDE 2019 Arcadian Car Park mural was a collaboration between many street graffiti artists encompasing various elements of street art and the festival logo.
The Forum - Gent48
Heading down Dean Street behind The Forum you will see a piece of street art created by Gent48, aka Josh Billingham, ranks among the most talented and prolific graffiti writers in Birmingham. Best known for his character-driven murals, he has exported his creative talents as far afield as Australia and has picked up numerous awards along the way. Gent 48's unmistakable artwork can be witnessed across Birmingham and beyond.
Bath Passage
Carrying on up Pershore Street will lead you to Bath Passage opposite Debenhams Car Park, this area was transformed earlier in the year with a large scale piece of street art, one of many pieces of artwork created by Birmingham based Gent48 along the route. Gent 48, aka Josh Billingham, ranks among the most talented and prolific graffiti writers in Birmingham. Best known for his character-driven murals, he has exported his creative talents as far afield as Australia and has picked up numerous awards along the way. Gent 48's unmistakable artwork can be witnessed across Birmingham and beyond.
David Bowie Tribute - Annatomix
Just past Bath Passage onto Dudley Street you will find that Birmingham based artist Annatomix produced a vibrant tribute to David Bowie which went up on the third anniversary of Bowie’s death.Annatomix, who also has a music background, has taken part in several key street art festivals including the Hi Vis Fest, Upfest, and Mood Indigo Festival, and she has also painted in iconic street art locations such as Shoreditch.Following the death of David Bowie in 2016 there was a response from the world of street art to acknowledge his passing with artistic tributes in various cities. Annatomix produced her piece which went up on Dudley Street in Birmingham.
Mathare Futurism by T Bone
Heading down Hinckley Street and towards Hill Street - Birmingham Open Media presents a brand new graffiti piece by Birmingham based graffiti artist T-Bone. Mathare Futurism by T Bone is created in collaboration with Mathare Green Movement (MGM), a community of artist activists living in Mathare, an informal settlement (sometimes called a slum) in Nairobi, Kenya. BOM (Birmingham Open Media) commissioned this piece to exist alongside it’s current exhibition at it’s venue on Dudley Street, less than a minutes walk from the site. The exhibition celebrates how MGM have used Graffiti and music to tackle social inequality, misinformation around Covid-19 and police brutality. Open Wed - Sat 11am-4pm weekly.The works are presented through different mediums; music, moving image, photography and graffiti.work in this exhibition has been made throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a snapshot of how artists and activists have cultivated their energy to tackle the virus and associated social problems as well as learn lessons in resilience and courage, all outside of a European / US centric narrative.
Smallbrook Queensway
Taking a walk down Hill Street and along Smallbrook Queensway you will find various pieces of street art from artists across the region. Throughout lockdown Gent48 has been working alongside Southside District (BID) to add street art to more shop fronts, by taking a walk along the shop fronts you will come across work by LadyK, Bio & Goldie from TATSCRU, Juice 156, Freya and of course Gent48 - Birmingham based Graffiti Artist.
Afroflux - B-SIDE 2020
Into Hurst Street from Smallbrook Queensway as part of B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival & Hi Vis Street Culture Festival 2020 the former Oceana nightclub exterior walls have been re-painted as part of AfroFlux. On these walls there are five new pieces of artwork created over the festival weekend at the end of September 2020. Featuring artwork created by @SneakPekoe, @icreatenotdestroy and T Bone
The Southside Building - Mural
Heading from Hurst Street into Thorp Street and looking into The Southside Building Car Park we are proud to unveil the new mural in Southside as part of #BSIDE. We partnered with @Thesouthsidebhm and Graffiti Artist Zuke who created the mural that portrays a dancer called Bee Girl alongside messages of peace, love & unity, representing the diversity of Southside.https://thesouthsidebuilding.co.uk/ The Southside Building offers a workplace experience unlike anywhere else in the city centre.Bringing refurbished office suites and brand new collaborative space to Birmingham’s Southside, we have office suites and co-working spaces designed for like-minded thinkers. These spaces have been meticulously created as environments perfect for exploring ideas and unlocking creativity.
End Of Trail
Be sure to check out the new Smithfield Wholesale Markets walls down on Barford Street - where new artwork has been created as part of B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival & Hi Vis Street Culture Festival 2020 - a selection can be found in the photos. The endpoint of the self-guided tour, Birmingham Hippodrome is a cultural hub that gives everyone the chance to experience unforgettable theatrical performances, arts and culture.B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival is an annual festival produced by Birmingham Hippodrome and partner organisations. B-SIDE is back to celebrate its 5th year with generous funding support from Arts Council England. Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the festival takes on a different form – IN-SIDE and OUT-SIDE.Having been closed to the public since March, Birmingham Hippodrome re-opens it's doors on 8th October to host the UK premiere of Van Gough Alive. Don’t just admire Van Gogh’s paintings – immerse yourself in them in the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. No ordinary art exhibitio – Van Gogh’s works have been exhibited and admired for over a century – but never like this.
