ARTWORK produced by students from a Birmingham university will be featured in an exhibition alongside some of Britain's most iconic artists at the newly reopened Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
The ‘Deviance and Difference’ exhibition has been curated by Birmingham City University (BCU) Visiting Professor, artist Osman Yousefzada and features creations by the celebrated Francis Bacon, Grayson Perry and Barbara Hepworth, as well as graduates from BCU’s School of Art.
The Birmingham-born artist said: “I was approached by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and knew this was a perfect opportunity to put some of my students’ works next to the masters.
“I wanted to open doors to the students I was teaching over the last year, to bridge the outside world to the School of Art.
“Birmingham is the UK’s first minority-majority city, so this show reflects those who are marginalised and gives them a spotlight.”
The exhibition will largely be made up of female and diverse artists to help promote the work of under-represented communities.
One of the student artists being highlighted is 23-year-old Tia Johnson from Wolverhampton.
Her work, a photographic series titled ‘Silent Withering’, will be featured at the exhibition, which will run at the gallery until December 8.
The MA Fine Art student said: “Being shown amongst so much talent is that bit of reassurance that my work can stand for something and be shown in environments which is overwhelmingly surrounded by so much talent.
“I am proud of myself for pushing through the last few months because to have an opportunity like this is just the first step into this next chapter.”
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery was closed for renovations in November 2022 and partially reopened after almost two years last week, on October 24.
Nearly a dozen spaces including the iconic Round Room, re-faced tearoom, shop and the Industrial Gallery, where this exhibition is taking place, are open from Wednesday – Sunday, from 10.00am until 5.00pm, with free entry.
Toby Watley, director of Collections and Estate at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be able to host this exhibition curated by renowned artist Osman Yousefzada, showcasing new artworks by BCU art graduates alongside iconic works from Birmingham’s museum collection.
“Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has always supported Birmingham-based artists at different stages in their careers, so we are delighted to include this exhibition in our reopening programme.”
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