A newly-formed West Midlands arts collective hosts its first group exhibition at Solihull’s Courtyard Gallery.

Opening on Wed 21 May, Belongings’ features the work of 20 diverse artists from the region who have recently formed the new collective MIAC (Midlands International Artists Collective) during their time on the inaugural ‘Get Gallery Ready’ bootcamp at Solihull College & University Centre.

This group of artists have come together to explore themes of belonging, identity, journey, heritage and multiculturalism for their first show, which will include paintings, photography, weaving, textiles and ceramics, alongside other mixed-media works.

The physical space of the home, as a space of belonging, is evoked in the paintings of Fiona Carr who layers images of floral wallpaper which seeks to whisper past secrets about women’s lives in domestic spaces.

Wallpaper motifs continue in the digital collages of Sandra Palmer aka Brummy Artist, whose work allows her to frame – in empowering, vibrant and floral terms – multiple senses of self and a mixed heritage.

Sandra says: “My art is about me, and my sense of ‘belonging’ to my West Indian, British, cultural and artist communities.”

Aiming to ‘Challenge notions that we only belong to one space’, this show will celebrate layered stories memories and nostalgia, which are often held in physical belongings.

Daya Bhatti, for instance, sews stories of her rich South Asian heritage into traditional garments.

Daya says: “Being British Asian often means existing in the in-between, where belonging is layered and complex. My pieces embrace this fragmentation of identity using pattern, fabric, and symbolism To piece together a sense of self.”

A more emotional and cultural sense of belonging is embedded in the geometric paintings of Hasret Brown, whose patterned cosmos reflects her Turkish roots and influences, including centuries-old Islamic art and architecture.

Other artists have questioned the spaces from which they feel alienated. Combining text and image in her prints, Editoriat highlights public spaces where women often feel unsafe, particularly late at night.

She says: “This exhibition is about all kinds of belongings. Sometimes that means feeling like you don’t  belong – which is something I’ve explored in my work, disrupting those toxic media messages that make us feel ‘less than’.

“Sometimes it is a feeling of kinship that develops over time, and  that’s how our art bootcamp has been. I think it is our diversity – of age, background and art practice – that has created a sense of connection and support from the start. It’s great to have art on the wall but we’ve also created a little family in the process, and we all feel a bit less alone in our endeavours now. That’s what it’s all about.”

This exhibition is being curated by Birmingham-based art historian and author Ruth Millington, who says: “I’m so excited for viewers to see this show, which will invite questions about the physical and emotional spaces where we can find a sense of self, value and belonging. It’s been an honour to work with this talented, committed and collaborative group of artists who prove that there is  great power in collective endeavours and that the gallery itself can become an important home for artists”

Featured image credit: Irina Mackie