Here and Now Bench

Handsworth Park Tim Tolkien Commissioned as part of the Commonwealth Games a seat with both the ancestry of the Commonwealth and the modernity of Perry the Bull, to remind us of the fun of summer 2022 Commonwealth Games. The bench is due to be installed in summer 2023. Tim is seen here in his Cradley Heath workshop finishing off a piece for the new seat prior to a trip to the galvaniser.

Steamhouse

Holly Hendry Now part of City University the former Belmont Works will see a major new piece of public art by Holly Hendry. The ten foot sculpture reflects on key aspirations of STEAM house, which include mixing academia with commercial collaboration. Some of the design was worked on with pupils from Chandos Primary School in Highgate and City University students. Holly Hendry was born in London in 1990 and studied fine art at The Slade School of Fine Art and Sculpture at the Royal College of Art. The Birmingham piece was commissioned by Eastside Projects in partnership with Birmingham City University. Further details here:

Ozzy the Bull in New Street Station

In 2023 we will see a number of new pieces of public art being installed in Birmingham. Certainly the one causing the most excitement is certainly the revamped Raging Bull from the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Renamed Ozzy by the public, this metallic bull now has a permanent location on the concourse of New Street Station from summer 2023. Raging Bull was converted into a static piece, albeit with moving parts and it was installed exactly a year after the Commonwealth Games opened on 26th July. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games was always looking for ‘legacy’ things but this is certainly an unexpected and on a grand scale. Ozzy is certainly creating a lot of interest and is certainly a very positive way in to public art for those who want to consider the large and diverse amount on this city’s streets.