A special exhibition celebrating the life of Birmingham poet, author, actor and activist, Professor Benjamin Zephaniah, is set to take place across the city centre this summer.

The free, multi-site outdoor exhibition, Benjamin Zephaniah – The Brighter Flame will run between Fri 5 Jul – Sun 1 Sep, featuring more than 20 specially-curated artworks in Victoria Square.

The collection, which has received the support and acknowledgement of the Zephaniah family, will also feature flags designed in his memory flying on Colmore Row.

A Q&A with David Springer, Zephaniah’s brother, will take place at The Exchange on Broad Street. Local poets will also present a selection of Zephaniah’s work taken from Handsworth 1985 Revisited and The Tiny Spark.

The Brighter Flame will include large-scale archival black and white portrait photographs of Zephaniah by Birmingham artist, Pogus Caesar, along with a series of poems and photographs by Zephaniah and Caesar taken from Handsworth 1985 Revisited.

This multi-site exhibition is funded by Colmore BID, the Business Improvement District for the commercial district and co-curated by Pogus Caesar and art historian Ruth Millington.

Ruth Millington said: “Benjamin Zephaniah was a true giant of art and literature with a musical prose and delivery that drew attention to the issues faced by so many. It’s only right his work continues to be recognised and celebrated, particularly in a format that takes his work to the streets through powerful photography and imagery. I hope The Brighter Flame continues to inspire debate and honour his memory.”

Pogus Caesar added: “Benjamin Zephaniah was a local and international legend, an ordinary man who achieved extraordinary things.“

You can find more information about the exhibition here.

Featured image credit: Pogus Caesar/ OOM Gallery Archive/DACS/Artimage