Penguin Parade in Birmingham from Wild in Art

The Penguin Parade trail of 15 painted penguins started on 9th November 2022, and will run to early January 2023. Bit like the Snowman trail in late 2021 (and The Big Hoot, summer 2015 and The Big Sleuth, summer 2017 before that).

My advice is to do the trail over several days. Get as much as you can. Might be a lot of walking betwen penguins. Most outside, some inside.

Brum's Penguin Parade

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Number: 1.

Location: Inside Selfridges (ground floor near Click & Collect).

Title: Buddy The Elf Penguin.

Artist:  Megan H Smith Evans.

Description: Buddy is a cheeky character that everyone loves to see in the run up to Christmas. He loves helping his good friend Santa and knows there’s room for everyone on the nice list! He says 'the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

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Number: 2

Location: Rotunda Square at the Bullring (behind the Bullring Bull, not far from the West Mall entrance).

Title: It's Penguining to look a lot like Christmas! 

Artist: Laura Kate Draws.

Description: The design merges the fabulous festive world of penguins and Father Christmas with a dash of folk art patterns. It takes inspiration from nesting wooden dolls, known as Matryoshka dolls.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IPtlalC%20Penguin%20Bullring%2010112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 3.

Location: Inside Primark (2nd floor near the kids pyjamas).

Title: Percy The Party Penguin.

Artist: Reilly Creative.

Description: Percy is full of festive spirit and ready to party! Wearing his dashing winter print suit and candy cane glasses, he is dressed to impress and ready to rock around the Christmas tree.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PTP%20Penguin%20Primark%2015112022(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 4.

Location: Piccadilly Arcade.

Title: In The Deep (Midwinter).

Artist: Sue Guthrie.

Description: Penguins can be comically awkward on land, but this design shows off their grace underwater. Go on an adventure as you dip and dive around Christmas baubles.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ITDMW%20Penguin%20Picc%20Arc%2010112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 5.

Location: The Mailbox (inside opposite BBC Birmingham).

Title: Snowy.

Artist: R P Roberts.

Description: Featuring mystical mountain tops in the warm glow of sunset, Snowy captures the feeling of being surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Alps.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sn%20Penguin%20Mailbox%2013112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 6.

Location: Great Western Arcade.

Title: Kevin The Kinguin.

Artist: Caroline Daly.

Description: A rare creature with the colours and delicate feathers of a Kingfisher but the larger, strong build of a Penguin. It is an excellent diver with unbeatable fishing skills! Taking the best of both creatures, it symbolises luck, loyalty and love.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KTK%20Penguin%20GWA%2009112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 7. 

Location: Victoria Square, at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

Title: Santa Paws.

Artist: Jessica Perrin.

Description: Santa Paws is inspired by the weird and wonderful fancy dress that owners love to dress their pets in at Christmas. From proud Santa pooches to grumpy cat elves, this playful design is sure to make you giggle

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/SP%20Penguin%20BFCM%20Vic%20Sq%2013112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 8.

Location: Corporation Street, outside Urban Outfitters and Santander.

Title: The Road to Giverny.

Artist: Studio Glenn.

Description: This penguin is inspired by Monet's 1885 painting of the same name. The stunning winter scene evokes memories of crunching snow and cold fingers and toes before settling down with a hot cup of tea beside an open fire.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TRTG%20Penguin%20Corporation%20St%2010112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 9.

Location: House of Fraser, outside on Corporation Street near Cherry Street.

Title: Vitamin P.

Artist: Mikesian Studio.

Description: He struggles with the cold winters but keeps warm by eating as much fruit and vegetables as he can get his flippers on. We should all be more like him - a ray of citrus sunshine.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/VP%20Penguin%20HoF%2009112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 10

Location: Christmas in Cathedral Square (outside on Colmore Row).

Title: Helter Skelter

Artist: Amanda Quellin.

Description: This penguin is inspired by a love of nostalgic fairground rides such as a helter skelter and carousel. See how many playful animals you can spot enjoying the ride on a penguin.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HS%20Penguin%20CS%2009112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 11.

Location: Church Street Square (near Edmund Street).

Title: The Forest At Christmas.

Artist: Jodie Silverman.

Description: This design is inspired by an enchanting snow-covered forest at Christmas. Animals of the forest are surrounded by a magical night-time landscape of tall trees and falling snow.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TFAC%20Penguin%20Church%20St%20Sq%2010112022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 12. 

Location: Centenary Square at Ice Skate Birmingham.

Title: Mr Easy Freezy.

Artist: Jenny Leonard.

Description: Mr Easy Freezy gives a nod to the classic 90’s penguin track race game. Snowboarding and skiing penguins race each other down the mountain in their classic ski gear.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MEF%20ICB%20Centenary%20Sq%2013112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 13.

Location: Hippodrome Square at Hurst Street, near Ladywell Walk (The Arcadian and close to Birmingham Hippodrome).

Title: Pullover Penguin.

Artist: Donna Newman.

Description: Arriving from the Arctic, this cute penguin likes to stay cosy in her favourite Christmas jumper. The cable-knit creation features festive knitting patterns, painted with a fluffy texture. Pullover Penguin is ready for cuddles! 

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PP%20Penguin%20Hipp%20Sq%2013112022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 14.

Location: Birmingham New Street Station (near the framed spades, close to Platform 7).

Title: Tiffany.

Artist: Lois Cordelia

Description: this penguin is specifically inspired by the beauty of Tiffany stained glass and evokes the magic of a winter landscape. How many details can you see?

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tiff%20Penguin%20BNSS%2014112022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Number: 15.

Location: Corner of Hill Street and Navigation Street (near Birmingham New Street Station).

Title: The Emperor.

Artist: Amanda Quellin.

Description: Our classic Emperor Penguin stands tall and majestic like the royalty she is. But she's always ready for a cuddle as she and her colony get ready for the frosty winter.

dndimg alt="Penguin Parade" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TE%20Penguin%20HS%2013112022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham Mail links: 

• Trail Map
• Secrets behind the Penguins

 

Wild in Art: Brum's Penguin Parade

Visit Birmingham map download

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

Faraday statue by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi at the University of Birmingham

On the occasion of the Centenary of the University of Birmingham in the year 2000, the sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi presented the University with a bronze statue called Faraday. It was placed at the West Gate of the University. Close to the School of Computer Science. It would be the first thing students, staff and visitors would see after getting off the train or bus nearby.

Faraday by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi

In the year 2000, when the University of Birmingham celebrated it's Centenary, the artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi gifted a bronze statue called Faraday. It was placed at the West Gate, on University Road West, outside of the School of Computer Science. You would see it when arriving at University Station, and walking towards University Square and Old Joe (and other parts of the campus). Even if you get off a bus, or walk from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, or Selly Oak Shopping Park (via Aston Webb Boulevard and New Fosse Way) you'd probably see it. Or it would be the last thing you see before heading into University Station, before catching a train on the Cross City Line up to Birmingham New Street.

The statue was probably inspired or named after Michael Faraday, who was an English scientist, who studied electromagnetism and electrochemistry. Various things were named after him. There is a statue of Faraday in London at Savoy Place.

 

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi CBE, RA (1924-2005) Faraday.
Bronze, 2000. West Gate, outside University Railway Station

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi said of this colossal bronze sculpture, commissioned to mark the centenary of the University of Birmingham's Royal Charter, that is was 'not of Faraday, but for him'. Faraday discovered the laws of electro-magnetic rotation and electrical induction and, among many other principles, explored the science of terrestrial magnetism. The loops of bronze between the figure's hands are a visual manifestation of natural fields of force.

Paolozzi has here articulated the achievements of all experimental scientists who unlock and transform understanding of natural phenomena, and has also created an allegorical figure representing the control of power. His figure of another great scientist, Newton (1995), stands outside the British Library (in London). Cut in the bronze around the base of the figure are lines from The Dry Salvages by T.S. Eliot. These reflect upon growth and change, and bear a valuable message for University students: 'Here between the hither and the further shore. While time is withdrawn, consider the future. And the past with an equal mind.'

 

I first photographed the Faraday statue in February 2013. There was a small bird on his head, and a tag around one of it's ankles. As a man looked on.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Faraday%20UoB%20(Feb%202013).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Took Faraday again during January 2019. This time without any one or any objects on it. There appears to be a bench around the plinth.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Faraday%20UoB%20(Jan%202019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I next photographed the statue during June 2021. This time a view with 'Old Joe' the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower. At the time, the clock hands were being taken down, ahead of the clock getting repaired that year.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Old%20Joe%20Faraday%20(Jun%202021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In the other direction from behind Faraday, you can see part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Faraday%20QEHB%20(Jun%202021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I also found a bronze plaque about Faraday by Eduardo Paolozzi (1924 - 2005). A gift from the artist to mark the Centenary of the University. 2000.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Faraday%20UoB%20(Jun%202021).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In late August 2022, there was still Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Game wraps on the School of Computer Science, behind Faraday, including an image of the infamous Perry the Bull (remember him?) and 'Sport is just the beginning'.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20UoB%2027082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

By October 2022, these had been replaced by the University of Birmingham, behind Faraday with 'Proud to be a World Top 100 University' and 'Welcome Game Changers'.

dndimg alt="Faraday" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB%20Game%20Changers%2016102022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Museum of the Moon at Lichfield Cathedral

Another Luke Jerram work of public art on display. Museum of the Moon was at Lichfield Cathedral from the 21st September to 31st October 2022. Elliott got a train on the Cross City Line to Lichfield City (on the 30th October 2022), and after a Costa stop at Three Spires, walked to the cathedral. During the day the entry ticket was free (paid evening tickets were sold out).

See also Gaia at Millennium Point (February 2022)

I was first aware of Museum of the Moon after Birmingham People with Passion Damien Walmsley and later Jack Babington visited and took photos at Lichfield Cathedral.

 

Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface*.

Over its lifetime, the Museum of the Moon will be presented in a number of different ways both indoors and outdoors, so altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork. As it travels from place to place, it gathers new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science.

The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Each venue also programmes their own series lunar inspired events beneath the moon.

 

It has been over six years since I last got a train from Birmingham New Street to Lichfield City. Back then I did a spire climb at St Mary's in the Market Square.

I found out that this moon exhibit in Lichfield Cathedral was ending on the 31st October, so I got the train up on Sunday the 30th October 2022. It got in around 12:30pm, and was there around 20 minutes, including a look around the inside of the Cathedral on the ground floor.

It appears that there is other moons at other venues all around the world, same with Gaia, the Earth sculpture.

Submitted one photo to the Birmingham Post & Mail Flickr group, and it got published in the Birmingham Mail readers letters page on Tuesday 1st November 2022, you can see that photo at the end of the gallery below.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

The Raging Bull in Centenary Square and Ladywood

The Raging Bull, from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was in Centenary Square from 29th July to 23rd September 2022. After that he was moved to a car park in Ladywood at St Vincent Street and Great Tindal Street. There is also a street art mural on Ladywood Middleway on the wall of CostCutter (near Spring Hill Island). That was painted for the Hi Vis Festival.

Gallery of photos taken between July and September 2022, from Elliott Brown and Daniel Sturley. During the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, you could only photograph the Raging Bull from Centenary Square itself, but once the terraces reopened at the Library of Birmingham (in August) you could see him from the Discovery Terrace and Secret Garden. By the 23rd September, the bull had been relocated temporarily to a car park on Great Tindal Street and St Vincent Street. There is also a Birmingham mural with the Raging Bull on Ladywood Middleway (back of CostCutter), not far from Spring Hill Island.

 

29th July 2022

First day in Centenary Square, the day after the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/reiss.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Reiss Gordon-Henry

 

From above the Library of Birmingham Amphitheatre.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_7602b_BULL.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

30th July 2022

The first Saturday in Centenary Square.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Raging%20Bull%20B2022%20Centenary%20Sq%2030072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

31st July 2022

Commonwealth Games volunteers shows visitors where to go.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_7774b_BULL.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

5th August 2022

Early morning view before the tourists showed up.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_8567b_BULL.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

6th August 2022

Super Saturday, the last weekend of the Commonwealth Games.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Crowds%20Raging%20Bull%2006082022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

13th August 2022

View from the Library of Birmingham terraces

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Raging%20Bull%20LoB%2013082022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

14th August 2022

View towards Paradise Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_0094b_BULL.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

20th August 2022

The Commonwealth pins was still in Centenary Square at the time.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Raging%20Bull%20CS%2020082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

View from the Library of Birmingham terraces.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_0984b_BULL.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

3rd September 2022

First weekend of PoliNations, so they decorated the Raging Bull.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20RB%20Centenary%20Sq%2003092022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

11th September 2022

The Raging Bull was present for the Proclamation of King Charles III in Centenary Square. This was a couple of days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB%20PCIII%20Centenary%20Sq%2011092022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

16th September 2022

A West Midlands Metro tram enters the bus gate from Paradise Circus into Centenary Square, passing the Raging Bull on it's way to Library Tram Stop. As a pair of National Express West Midlands buses head in the other direction (towards Great Charles Street Queensway).

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WWM%2031%2043%20LTS%2016092022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

20th September 2022

The Raging Bull is going to miss the Conservative Party Conference 2022, but was present when the marquees went up.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPC22%20Centenary%20Sq%2020092022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

24th September 2022

A long walk along Ladywood Middleway from Five Ways to Spring Hill to see this mural of the Raging Bull. It's on the wall of a shop called CostCutter. Painted by George Tattooer' and artist Tokes, for the Hi Vis Festival, which took place in Digbeth at the Tea Works over the weekend of 24th - 25th September 2022.

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Raging%20Bull%20Lwood%2024092022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Raging Bull was last seen in a car park in Ladywood near St Vincent Street and Great Tindal Street. The land is next to the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. He is going away for repairs and TLC, and a home indoors (TBC).

dndimg alt="Raging Bull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Raging%20Bull%20Ladywood%2024092022%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

National Express West Midlands: Birmingham Pride buses

Whenever there is a Birmingham Pride parade, National Express West Midlands always has at least one bus in rainbow colours. They have been doing this since at least Pride 2018. And you can catch it in regular service during the year as well.

National Express West Midlands proud to support Birmingham Pride 2018

Enviro 400 - 4879 - BX61 LNZ

On the 12th July 2018, I caught this National Express West Midlands on the 24 service, from Broad Street (near Five Ways Island). And got off at Colmore Circus Queensway (near the Colmore Building). 

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dndimg alt="Birmingham Pride" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BPride%202018%20Colmore%20Circ%20(Jul%202018)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

National Express West Midlands - be proud of who you are

Enviro 400 - 4905 - BX13 JWE

First spotted on the 11th May 2019, on St Martin's Queensway outside of the Bullring, on route 47. It had been used for Birmingham Pride 2019.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Pride" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham%20Pride%202019%20St%20Martins%20Queensway%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I next spotted the "be proud of who you are" bus on the 20th August 2019, in Digbeth. It was on bus route 60, while I was on a no 50 bus.

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dndimg alt="Birmingham Pride" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BPride%202019%20bus%20Digbeth%20(Aug%202019)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Pride" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BPride%202019%20bus%20Digbeth%20(Aug%202019)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the 9th February 2022, I saw the "be proud of who you are" bus on bus route 97, it was on Moor Street Queensway.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Pride" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BPride%202022%20Moor%20St%20Qway%20(Feb%202022).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the 1st April 2022, the "be proud of who you are" rainbow bus was on bus route 24, on Colmore Row, opposite of the Grand Hotel.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Pride" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BPride%202022%20Colmore%20Row%20(Apr%202022).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown