This year is CSB’s 20th Anniversary and to mark the occasion we’ve launched a year long project and program called We Are Birmingham 2022, where we’ll reflect on and showcase 20 years of diversity and culture in Birmingham's Music and Arts Scene.

We Are Birmingham 2022 - Self Portraits Exhibition

with photographer Brian Homer of the famous ‘Handsworth Self Portrait’ project

We are Birmingham 2022 - Self Portraits Project started in April, and over 2 months we travelled with Brian Homer to multiple locations across the city inviting people and communities from all backgrounds, to document themselves with self portraits. The aim of the project is to reflect the diversity of Birmingham and give visibility to our refugee and migrant communities.

The photographs were done in the style of Brian’s famous 1979 project ‘Handsworth Self Portrait’, and “Birmingham Self Portraits” held at the Library of Birmingham in 2011. Through a process of passing the shutter release to the person in the frame and giving them the freedom to take a top to toe selfie, with or without friends and family in tow.

We held sessions with: Women With Hope, Centrala, South & City College – Handsworth Campus, Erdington Secret Arts Space, Erdington Six Ways Baptist Church, Symphony Hall, Aston Hall.

Everyone who took part enjoyed taking their pictures and were able to take a copy home with them.

We curated a collection of these self portraits into an exhibition which was launched at the prominent Library of Birmingham on 18th June in conjunction with our 20 Years of Birmingham Refugee Week Festival.

We are Birmingham 2022 - Self Portraits Exhibition

Exhibition - 18th June - 18th July
Library of Birmingham, digital wall

See a digital presentation of the exhibition here