A talent-spotting spectacular at a Birmingham gallery is expected to sell £70,000 worth of art works by the region’s leading emerging artists.
The first New Art WM Annuale will showcase everything from paintings to sculpture, drawing, photography, video and digital artworks by 14 artists who live and work in the West Midlands.
Their works will be sold on a first come, first served basis during the Annuale’s month long run at The Article gallery at Birmingham School of Art in Margaret Street.
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All the exhibited artwork, plus further prints and paintings from selected regional artists, will be on sale for prices ranging from £93 to £3,500.
Open from March 20 to April 15, the Annuale’s curator is Rachel Bradley, Head of New Art WM – Art Market Project.
“This event is aimed at people who are interested in contemporary arts... but were afraid to ask,” says Rachel.
“It’s not a hard sell, but an exhibition of two to four works from 14 different artists.
“Sales will be first come first served and we’ll be taking deposits on the opening night, March 19.
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“We have picked the best works we can from these artists who are amongst the best emanating from the region.
“Our rate of commission is less than a commercial gallery and the artists have priced the works themselves because they have the best knowledge of the costs of production.”
Mona Casey, the director of the Article Gallery, Birmingham School of Art, says: “We visited artists’ studios across the West Midlands before settling on the 14 artists who will exhibit in the Annuale.
“The mix of artworks on show reflect distinctive trends in contemporary art right now – we are seeing new ways of portraying landscape, both real and imagined, urban and rural, but also we will show art that looks at global issues such as identity, religion and gender.
“We are trying to make the gallery as accessible as possible for the public and are trying to raise its profile.
“This is a really exciting time for art emanating from the region and we are trying to encourage people to build a collection.”
Rachel added: “Owning an original art work can be really exciting for buyers, whether they are buying something that goes with wall paper, is part of a trend, an investment or just because they really like it.
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“We are very friendly, so we hope that people will just come and talk to us.
“We are aiming at increasing graduate retention in the West Midlands so that it becomes a more viable place to live and work.”
Exhibiting artists include:
Yvonne Hindle, who presents brightly coloured abstract paintings.
Photographer Vanley Burke, who shows prints from his classic series capturing life in urban Birmingham.
Elizabeth Rowe – currently artist in residence at The New Art Gallery Walsall – will present works on newspaper.
Winner of New Art West Midlands 2013 Rafal Zar will show new paintings and sculpture.
Other artists showing their work include Graham Chorlton, Lucy Hutchinson, Corey Hayman and Matt Westbrook.
New Art WM: Annuale 2015 Exhibition runs from March 20 to April 15 at The Article gallery, The School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BX. Details:
From 6.30pm-7.30pm on Tuesday, April 28, Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace will host a New Art WM evening featuring Mark Doyle, Head of Collector Development North offering an introduction to buying contemporary art. Places are free but should be booked. Donations welcome. Book online via or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.