Rock royalty meets Black Country heritage with a modern twist in a new photographic display at Black Country Living Museum.
A selection of works by artist Tom Hicks, known as Black Country Type, are now on display at Dudley’s iconic attraction.
The display features several images from Hicks’ latest book, “Black Country Type II”, which includes a foreword from Black Country music legend and local arts advocate Robert Plant.
The pair first came together when Hicks was invited to curate a photographic exhibition for Plant for a gig at the Halls in Wolverhampton, who has since become a long-standing fan of Hicks’ work.
The display features twelve hand-selected images from Hicks’ catalogue of work, which explores the post-industrial landscape of the Black Country and celebrates the urban landscapes across the region. The series includes a variety of locations and styles, from the colourful tiles of the Stourbridge Junction underpass to the brick façade of Wolverhampton train station.
Speaking about the display, Hicks said: “Collaborating with BCLM on this display has been a new and exciting experience - it’s such a great setting for my images.
"When curating the display, we felt it would be a perfect opportunity to give visitors the opportunity to reflect on the Black Country as it is now.
"My work documents the contemporary Black Country landscape and references the history and visual culture of the region. Of course, BCLM is dedicated to celebrating the heritage of the Black Country and interpreting it for a modern audience.
"Robert is such a great advocate for the arts in the region and always speaks so passionately about the Black Country and its heritage. It’s a real honour for me that he has written the foreword to my latest collection of photographs of the Black Country.”
Speaking about the display, Plant said: “Tom Hicks captures the surreal madness and magnificence of our old mothership with a keen eye and quiet wit.”
The display is situated in the museum’s café space in their visitor centre. Hicks’ vistas of the modern Black Country have already been praised by visitors and colleagues alike, who have commented on his unique gift in capturing the Black Country spirit and humour of the locations he photographs.
Within the chosen selection are three images taken of museum architecture. Viewers can enjoy two scenes from the vintage fairground, and a photo of the museum’s recreation of Langer’s Army & Navy Stores, a former landmark for locals in Stourbridge.
Hannah Parsons, Head of Development and Communications at BCLM, said: “it’s a privilege to be able to feature Tom’s work so prominently here at the museum.
"The work has such a wonderful sense of the character of our region, and we’re incredibly proud to be able to collaborate with a local artist. It’s the first time we’ve had a display in this space, and it was a pleasure to welcome Robert to view the work.
"We feel that hosting the work provides a perfect opportunity to appreciate the changing landscape of the Black Country, inviting our visitors to think about the contrast between these modern examples and the historical views they will see when they embark on their journey into the past on the rest of their visit.”
Black Country Type II, published by The Modernist, is available to purchase from the Museum gift shop and is also available online. Prints of Hicks’ works are also available from the museum gift shop.
Comments
Add a comment