Art along the canal is important from and by communities because it validates and reflects the people who live in that area. I was one of the artists that painted the murals in Heathfield Road Handsworth in 2004 and they’re still their untouched today with no graffiti at all because they had community involvement and ownership.
– Anne Brierley, Artist
Legacy West Midlands are developing an arts and heritage trail along the canal from the Roundhouse in Birmingham to Chance Glassworks, an iconic industrial heritage site in Smethwick. This 4-mile stretch of canal called Revolution Walk received a Green Flag Award in 2020. Four art installations that celebrate the industrial and commonwealth heritage of the area will be commissioned and installed on or near to the canal route. Interpretation boards will enable context, heritage and understanding.
Trails will take place on foot, bicycles, canoes, Bangladeshi dragon boats, and narrow boats. Our trail will feature works from established and emerging artists Claire Cotterill and ReRe Demarae and Luke Perry and emerging artist Canaan Brown. Steering Group partners involved; Canal & River Trust (CRT), Roundhouse, Handsworth Creative, Creative Black Country (CBC), The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS), Discover Sandwell, Community Connect Foundation (CCF), Bertz Associates and Midlands Sailing Club (MSC).
All four installations have been carried out in consultation with local community groups, these co-designed sessions have recognised the lived experience of the local neighbourhoods, focusing on local Birmingham and Smethwick residents. Each installation has focused on different things with a focus on how the social heritage and landscape has changed over time. The arts trail will address issues facing the Windrush generation of African Caribbean Commonwealth migrants and their descendants from 1948 to today, it also looks at the Hijab and will seek to showcase it in a positive way. Consultation was undertaken with a predominantly South Asian women's group who wanted to focus on the positive aspects of wearing it.
Birmingham is rich in heritage, but many local monuments, such as the ‘Golden Boys’ and Joseph Chamberlain, share a painful story for the black community. The Revolution monument will help to balance the narrative of the black community and the decolonisation of Birmingham’s heritage. Learning about cultural heritage contextualise us and can help foster a greater sense of pride for the black community and connection to place. Often people don’t know much about the contributions and initiatives that emerged from Birmingham. Sharing stories about local figures and places can encourage people to take notice of their area and inspire them to go and find out more.
– Black Heritage Walk Network
One of the main aims of the project is to honestly acknowledge the stories of our vibrant communities, we want to encourage emplacement and belonging for everyone. This has been achieved through local engagement, by directly engaging partners and providing support for community co-designed sessions, we are demonstrating our commitment to seeking out, amplifying and appreciating the input and views of residents.
Living in a time where hijab is banned in counties like France, where Muslims are Persecuted for practicing their religion. The hijab represents Muslim women. The sculpture tells their story, through the use of the hijab, with their rich histories embedded in the fabric. It doesn't hide, it isn't afraid, and it isn’t unapologetic.
– Wahida Kousar, Artist
By beautifying a section of Birmingham’s canals, we are encouraging others to take pride in their surroundings and for everyone to make a concerted effort in keeping them clean. Arts Trail walkers along the canal will pause and appreciate this artwork, improving perceptions and changing attitudes over time.
The canals have been at the heart of Birmingham's industry and communities for over 200 years and have been rediscovered by many people during the pandemic as green corridors through our city as places for wellbeing as well as transport. This makes them a perfect place to hold cultural celebrations and for commemorating local communities through artwork. Birmingham is a city of diversity but the stories of our Black and minoritized communities have often been overlooked in the past so it's wonderful to see a project that puts them in the spotlight, especially using the image of a Hijabi woman. In the Jewellery Quarter, so many of our young women at the local school’s wear the hijab and it would be very empowering for them to see themselves as the face of this celebration of Birmingham’s history and culture.
– Josie Wall, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust
These works celebrate the Commonwealth heritage of our communities and was realised with funding from Arts Council England, Birmingham 2022 Festival, Birmingham City Council, the Active Wellbeing Society, Historic England and The Saintbury Trust.
