Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery reopens: What you need to know about the city’s heritage and future?

Friday, November 1, 2024

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has reopened, unveiling its latest phase on October 24, with a focus on celebrating the city’s rich heritage and diverse identity.

The new display, “Made in Birmingham,” highlights iconic people, places, and objects that encapsulate Birmingham’s spirit, housed in the renovated Industrial Gallery.

Alongside this exhibit, the museum’s beloved Tearoom and Museum Shop are also open, welcoming visitors Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

The “Made in Birmingham” exhibition dives into the essence of the city, presenting historical artifacts such as the famous HP Sauce factory logo and a sign from the Eagle & Tun pub, both symbols of Birmingham’s culture.

It also showcases a model of an abandoned vision for Centenary Square, representing the city’s ever-evolving landscape.

In the Round Room gallery, the “One Fresh Take” exhibit explores diverse perspectives on Birmingham’s landscape and heritage through artworks from David Cox to Bridget Riley.

Highlights include Jacob Epstein’s bronze “Lucifer” and Henry Stacy Marks’ penguin painting “Dominicans in Feathers.”

Meanwhile, the family-friendly “Wild City” gallery delves into the city’s relationship with nature, featuring interactive displays, historical portraits like “The Official Rat Catcher,” and a soft play area for children.

Notable exhibits also include “Curtis Holder: Drawing Carlos Acosta” in the Contemporary Voices gallery, featuring portraits and sketches inspired by the Birmingham Royal Ballet director, and “Modern Muse” by Arpita Shah, which celebrates young South Asian women from Birmingham.

The “Deviance & Difference” exhibit, curated by artist Osman Yousefzada, brings together works by Birmingham City University graduates alongside iconic pieces by artists like Francis Bacon and Barbara Hepworth.

A new addition, The Pixel Studio, offers digital experiences and artist-led screenings, including Pogus Caesar’s “The Tiny Spark” and Martin McNally’s “Excerpt,” providing an immersive glimpse into Birmingham’s stories and hidden connections.

Additionally, the world-renowned “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibit is on display in the Waterhall until April 20, 2025.

Due to high demand, the popular Victorian Radicals exhibition of Pre-Raphaelite art has been extended until January 5, 2025. Co-CEOs Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah of Birmingham Museums Trust expressed their excitement about the reopening, calling it “a celebration of our vibrant city and its rich history.”

This revitalization was made possible through government support, including the Museums Estate and Development Fund and Arts Council England.

The reopening marks a significant step toward creating a museum that resonates with Birmingham’s identity, inviting locals and visitors to connect with the city’s stories in a refreshed, inspiring space.