The internationally renowned Castle Fine Art Gallery, is one of the most reputable commercial galleries in Birmingham and as part of the Halcyon Group offers a variety of artistic offerings, from fine paintings, to drawings and sculptures, to prints and original paintings. Created by some of the greatest names in artistic history, most notable amongst those have been Picasso, Chagall and Warhol – Castle Galleries offers a small, welcoming environment in which Brummies; including those with a wadful of cash, can browse the works of art.
Whilst there you can discover a whole host of creations and discover hidden gems of the artistic community. Inspiring and relaxing, the Castle Fine Art Gallery offers a non-intimidating chance to get to grips with art. Small enough to peruse in a lunch hour and big enough to get your artistic follicles throbbing, it serves as a wonderful gateway into the artistic world. Completely free to enter, it really brings art into a more affordable, down-to-earth arena.
The ICC Birmingham’s Castle Fine Art Gallery is currently home to a permanent display of pieces by artist/musician legend, Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan’s “Drawn Blank” series has drawn international acclaim and stands today as one of the most significant collections of art in recent times and Birmingham has been honoured worthy enough to call it home.
The Limited Edition hand-signed exhibition is taken from drawings created by Bob Dylan whilst touring between 1989 and 1992. Taking one image and reproducing it in numerous different colours and tones, the viewer is given an ever changing, distorted perspective of the same idea over and over. In grand, imposing sizes these pieces are available to purchase with prices starting from £1,250! But if you can already hear your purse springs perspiring, a beautiful hardback book is also available for £39.95. Limited edition, the book has only been printed 295 times worldwide!
If Bob doesn’t take your fancy, a particular favourite of mine is Shazia. Shazia draws inspiration of old, still, bland portraits and recreates her very own versions using oils; transforming the paint into wonderful little characters. With a somewhat cartoony look, Shazias collection is utterly charming. Peculiar and odd, each character sports miniscule black dots for eyes and consequently gazes enigmatically. With sizeable heads and features that play with modern proportion conventions, the characters stare blankly at you. Somewhat creepy, very colourful and utterly unique, Shazia’s collection is wonderfully inspiring.
Alongside the bright, cartoonish images of Shazia lies Richard Rowan’s collection of dramatic landscape paintings. Ethereal and other-worldly, Richards paintings of no place in particular pay focus to interesting skies and bring to life the air around us, something so often forgotten. Mesmerising and inspired, Richard paints directly onto glass, allowing him to paint several layers until he achieves the desired effect.
This is just some of the amazing artists and inspired paintings hidden within Birmingham’s Castle Fine Art Gallery and a lunch hour, a Saturday or a rainy day hidden within its walls is not only a cheap way to spend your day – but an inspiring one.
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