Neighbourhoods of Birmingham will be seen through poetry and painting this month as visual and mural artist Mohammed Ali takes up residency across various areas of Birmingham thanks to funding from Birmingham City Council. Forming part of Birmingham Anglican Cathedral’s ‘Something Good’ festival - a 2-day arts event celebrating 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral – Mohammed will lead a series of 1-day open air residences in public spaces in Erdington, Sparkhill and Handsworth.
With support from Birmingham City Council, also in Bournville and King’s Heath, where he will live paint sculptures inspired by his Nomadic journey across the city. Poet and writer Mandy Ross will work alongside Mohammed, exploring faith traditions and writings about light and dark through a series of community collaborations.
On Saturday 12th September Mohammed and Mandy will visit Handsworth Library which is also hosting a number of events as part of European Week of Sport. The day will see special guest appearances from soccer freestyle pioneer Rob Walters and four times World Kick Boxing champion Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill, who was born and raised in Handsworth. There will be a festival atmosphere through the day outside the library.
Mohammed’s work, alongside that of other artists from different faith and cultural backgrounds and disciplines, will create Something Good on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October in Cathedral Square, Colmore Row. Accompanying Mohammed and Mandy during the event will be award winning composer Dan Jones who will fill the Square with new horizons of sound and create illusions of different times and places, in the UK premiere of the Skyline Symphony.
Mohammed Ali, commented: “Something Good is all about celebrating the history of Birmingham Cathedral and how it has brought people together, no matter their creed. My residences have allowed me to go out into the neighbourhoods of Birmingham and explore faith and communities in the city. This will be interpreted through the live painting of nomadic sculptures. We’re delighted that Birmingham City Council has invested in this project. Without their support we would not have been able to engage with so many different communities, ensuring they are part of this incredible story.”
