This March Birmingham welcomes a new gallery to its artistic community. Alongside this, a mixture of exhibitions featuring exciting new contemporary art will grace the second cities art scene. Look at for panels, playful cartoonish pieces and particularly striking, engaging works that grapple with the themes of colonialism.

An exhibition dissecting the themes of borders, diaspora and the internet: Digital Diaspora at Centrala 

Marking 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Centrala, in partnership with Short Circuit and Studio 44, will present Digital Diaspora. Whilst ironically taking place within the same time as Brexit, the exhibition will trace the opening of Eastern Europe following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Celebrating the Eastern European diaspora, the exhibition will explore themes of migration, borders and identity. By reflecting upon the diasporic aspects of the digital, the internet will also be employed as a tool to enable the artworks to arrive at each exhibition venue independently, culminating in their arrival at Studio 44 in Stockholm, which will see an exact ‘clone’ of the exhibition.
Fri 1 Mar – Sat 13 Apr, Centrala, Unit 4 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Birmingham, B5 5RT. Tel: 01214393050, opening times vary, free.
www.centrala-space.org.uk

An insightful exhibition exploring colonialism: Hew Locke: Here’s the Thing at Ikon Gallery

Exploring themes of the colonial and post-colonial, Locke’s work is steeped in ideas surrounding the structures of power. By using historical objects such as trophies, busts and coats of arms, Locke has reworked them to reveal each objects hidden history. Locke’s work concentrates on the UK and his childhood home of Guyana, fusing together two different countries with alternative histories. This exhibition is set to be both powerful and poignant.
Fri 8 Mar – Sun 2 Jun, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HS. Tel: 01212480708, opening times vary, free.
www.ikon-gallery.org

A panel using feminism to unpick exclusivity within the art world: A “Male Artist” is a Contradiction in Terms at Eastside Projects

Aiming to dissect what it means to be a non-male artist, Eastside Projects will be hosting a panel to explore this further. The panel will be analysing feminist art, in a way to dig deeper into what it means to be feminist, and how this can help contribute towards a fairer and more inclusive artworld. Acting as a vehicle for discussion, the panel will be welcoming audience participation.
Sat 30 Mar, Eastside Projects, 86 Heath Mill Lane, B9 4AR. Tel: 01217711778, opening times vary, free.
eastsideprojects.org

Gallery Launch: T Street Gallery

Having been in the works for the last three years, T Street gallery will be opening its doors to the Birmingham public. A welcomed addition to our city’s ever-growing arts scene, T Street will be displaying current and exciting work from a hoard of Brummie artists. Please note, it is only accessible by stairs.
Fri 15 – Sat 30 Mar, T Street, Top Floor, Great Tindall Street, Birmingham, B16 8DR. Opening times vary, free.
www.sevvenkucuk.com/tstreetgallery

A playful display of talented illustration: Super Freak: It’s all Good at Bene Culture

From the 14th of March, the artist Super Freak will be displaying his cartoonish work at the independent clothes shop, Bene Culture. Watch out for colourful and uplifting pieces. Check out his instagram @super__freak for more information.
Thurs 14 Mar, Bene Culture, UG13, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AT, Tel: 01212965435, opening times vary. Free.
beneculture.com

Image via: Ikon Gallery Website. Hew Locke, Souvenir 1 (Queen Victoria) (2018). Mixed media on C19th Copeland Parian bust of Queen Victoria. Courtesy the artist. Photography by Angus Mills.