Photography gets permanent public space in Europe's biggest library

The Photographers’ Wall is an open space located above the library’s café.

Featuring some of the best photography made in the region, the wall aims to break down the barriers which galleries often face, taking photography directly to visitors of Europe’s largest Library for an audience who may not normally explore photography.

Launching on Thursday January, 23, the first exhibition features a range of individual works drawn from larger projects made by artists who hail from or are now based in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

It also includes images from the nationally designated and internationally significant Library of Birmingham Photography Collection.

The opening exhibition includes the works of 23 photographers including Brian Griffin, Dean O’Brien, Andrew Jackson, John Myers, Lily Wales, Mahtab Hussain and Sonia Audhali.

Pete James, curator of photography at Library of Birmingham, said: “The diverse range of images on show in the exhibition reveal just part of the enormous breadth of photographic talent based in the region. It encompasses work made in response or influenced by Renaissance painting all the way though to modernist photo-montage and others which represent the best of contemporary documentary and fine art practices.

"In the exhibition the work of established photographers sits alongside that or emergent artists confirming that Birmingham and the West Midlands has a long tradition as a centre of photographic excellence. It is the Library of Birmingham and GRAIN's objective to bring wider attention and recognition to this important part of the region’s cultural profile.”

The Photographers’ Wall is a partnership project developed by the GRAIN Photography Hub and the Library of Birmingham, supported by Arts Council England.

The first exhibition will run from January 23 to April 18, it is free to visit and open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm.