The work and activism of Birmingham photographer Rhonda Wilson MBE are set to be celebrated with the launch of a new exhibition and community archive this summer.

Opening at The Old Print Works in Balsall Heath, Seeing Rhonda marks the public debut of the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive – a living, community-rooted collection tracing more than three decades of Wilson’s creative and cultural impact.

Uniting photographs, letters, posters and publications alongside personal notes, sketches and overlooked ephemera, the project reveals not just what Wilson created but how she worked, collaborated and built opportunities for others.

The project was initiated by Dr Annette Naudin, Associate Professor at Birmingham City University (BCU), in partnership with The Old Print Works and in collaboration with PRISM Photography Network.

Dr Naudin said: “It is very fitting to have Rhonda’s archive in Balsall Heath where, in 1989, she set up the Poseurs Studio and Gallery with fellow photographer Ming de Nasty.

“The process of uncovering letters of thanks, rolls of her photographs and her personal notes is both exciting and profoundly moving.”

Seeing Rhonda presents Birmingham-born Wilson, who died in 2014, as more than a photographer. A cultural entrepreneur, journalist, educator and activist, she spent more than 30 years championing others and reshaping the photography landscape in Birmingham and beyond.

Her constructed social documentary style of photography was driven by her commitment to addressing issues of women’s representation, low pay and homelessness.

From co-founding Poseurs Studio and Gallery in the late 1980s to developing influential initiatives such as Seeing the Light (1995) and Rhubarb-Rhubarb (1999), Wilson played a pivotal role in creating platforms for underrepresented voices.

Personal letters included in the archive offer a powerful insight into her impact, documenting how her support shaped careers and opened doors for emerging photographers. The exhibition and archive also highlight women whose contributions have too often been overlooked in formal collections, reframing Birmingham’s cultural history through their work.

“We are delighted to host the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive here at The Old Print Works and to have the opportunity to shine a light on this important part of the city’s cultural history,” said Hannah Greenwood and Rebecca Tura, Interim Co-CEOs at The Old Print Works.

“Rhonda’s influence and impact on photographers and creatives are evident, and we look forward to developing the archive further.”

Seeing Rhonda runs at The Old Print Works from Tue 23 Jun to Sat 27 Jun, 11am-5pm, and returns on Sat 11 Jul as part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday. Entry is free, with donations welcome. The archive launches on Thu 25 Jun (6-8pm), with all welcome.

Featured image credit: The Old Print Works