About
Founded on drawing, dance, and architecture, my art embraces a diverse approach reflecting the interconnectedness of all arts. My works include:
Drawing and Painting (figurative / abstract)
Performance Art, Poetry, Music and Dance
Digital Collage and Animation
Public Art Light and Sound Events and Sculpture
Arts in Health
I often use my own poetry in combination with other art forms.
Main Project Series
Mapping Bones (2011-present)
Contemporary Drawing and Performance Art
Drawing is a cornerstone of my practice. In 1996, I discovered my ability to draw accurately and ambidextrously using various parts of my body. This revelation deepened my interest in human locomotion and anthropology, culminating in the drawing performance series 'Mapping Bones' and 'Thisability' (2008-present). The Reading Museum and University of Reading acquired two of my drawings in 2022 under the 'Drawing Diversity' residency. Works include live, ambidextrous drawing performances collaborating with musicians and poets.
Bombed (2011-present)
Action-Painting, Drawing, and Performance Art, Gallery Installation
My exploration of war, conflict, identity, and territoriality is influenced by my Indian Sikh heritage and British nationality, as well as my diverse community. Over twelve years, this has evolved into the performance-painting series 'Bombed', an international project with performances in Dresden, Germany. My creative process frequently involves public participation, unlocking local histories, and collaborations with both professional and non-professional artists.
‘Secret Life of Plants’ and ‘Poiesis’ (2023-on), Seed Lights (2024)
Drawings, Paintings, Sculpture, Light and Sound event
For many years I have been captivated by the forms of plants. This fascination led to project series 'Secret Life of Plants' (drawings and paintings 2023), ‘Poiesis’ (metal sculpture 2015-23) and 'Seed Lights' (architectural scale Light and Sound event 2024),
Inspirations and Current Work
My late father, Surjit Singh Birdi, an acclaimed Punjabi author of short stories and consummate artist profoundly influences my approach to art. I am currently working on a decolonizing project, translating and interpreting his short stories through visual art and poetry.
Background and Achievements
Born in India in 1960, I am now based in Birmingham, UK. My works are held in private and public collections, and I have created several public art sculptures. I am an Associate Member of the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham. See CV below for further information.
CV
Works in National Collections
2022 – Reading Museum / University of Reading Drawings Collection
2017 – Winterbourne House and Garden, University of Birmingham
Awards/ National Exhibitions
Highly Commended Award- video ‘Unlike Bullets’/painting ‘For Our Fathers’ installation RBSA Summer Show, RBSA Gallery Birmingham 2024
Artist International Development Fund Award 2016 – Arts Council England and British Council
Highly Commended Award - pencil and ink drawing ‘Conversations, RBSA Gallery Open 2013
‘Interrogation’ videowork First Prize Video Category, Wolverhampton Art Gallery ‘Open 2008’ and exhibited in Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2010
· ‘Seams of Time’ Sculpture Trail in village of Highley, Shropshire - Shropshire Pride Award 2002
Public Art Commissioning Clients
IMP Properties Ltd; University of Birmingham; University of Reading/ Reading Museum; Portland Works Sheffield; Wyre Forest District Council; The Pioneer Group; Birmingham City Council; Sense- for people with complex disabilities; Staffordshire NHS Trust, Bridgnorth District Council; Lichfield District Council; Tamworth and Lichfield College of Art; Highley Initiative Trust; Hamstead Miners Trust; Bromford Housing Group, Integer
SECTION 1 SOLO and LEAD ARTIST EXHIBITIONS/ART PROJECTS, RESIDENCIES
2023/24 ‘Seed Lights’- Winterbourne House and Garden, University of Birmingham and Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Light and Sound Event with architectural scale projection;public engagement, exhibitions of paintingsand prints. Supported by Arts Council of England.
2023 ‘Secret Life Of Plants’ and ‘Poiesis’- Winterbourne House and Garden, University of Birmingham - Exhibitions of paintings, prints and small metal sculptures based on Winterbourne’s Flora and Herbarium Collection
2022 ‘Bombed- A Trilogy’ Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry – Multimedia galleryexhibition, installation, digital sound dance performance. Arts Council of England support
2020-22 ‘Drawing Diversity’ Drawing Residency with Reading University and Reading Museum. Acquisition of two drawings into the Joint Drawings Collection in 2022
2021 ‘Bombed- Full Circle’- Light and Sound Event with large-scale projection at Warstone Lane Cemetery, Birmingham, with live performance. Supported by Arts Council of England and Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project
2019 ‘Bombed- A Moonlight Sonata 2’ Commissioned by Societaetstheater, Dresden, Germany Action-Painting/dance performance at Festival Szen:Europa, performed in ex-WW2 bomb making factory
2019 ‘Mapping Birmingham’ Dei Farberei Gallery, Munich, Germany - Group Exhibition ‘connect 48/11’. Foot drawings , live drawing performance and artist workshops.
2019 ’Mapping Bones 5- ‘Remembrance’ Live performance drawing with musicians, ‘Draw To Perform’ International Symposium day, Brighton, UK. Arts Council of England support
2019 ‘Mapping Bones 4 - They Cross Oceans’ – Medicine Bakery Gallery, Birmingham. Drawing performance/ workshops with violinist Gina Griffin - Arts Council England support
2019 ’Mapping Bones 3’ Drawing Projects UK, Trowbridge. Performance drawing collaboration with violin player Gina Griffin
2018 ’Mapping Bones 2’ 1000 Trades bar, Birmingham. Drawing and performance. Arts Council of England
2018 ’Mapping Bones 1’ ORT Gallery, Birmingham. Polydextrous drawing, performance, public Engagement
2017 ‘Jazz Geometries 2- Art of Performers’ Cogs Bar, Birmingham. Drawings, paintings and live music performances. Arts Council of England support.
2017 ‘Jazz Geometries 2 - Art of Performers’ Winterbourne House, University of Birmingham. Solo exhibition of drawings, paintings and printworks. Arts Council England support
2017 ‘Jazz Geometries 1’- Winterbourne House, University of Birmingham Solo exhibition flor and geometry, and artist mentor for five artists. Drawings, video and paintings. Arts Council England support
2016 Artist International Development Fund Award– Delhi, India and Dresden, Germany – Research in Delhi for future projects and delivery school workshops, research in Dresden for ‘Bombed 2’ Arts Council of England and British Council funding
2015 ‘Cogn: the root of I’ – Winterbourne House, University of Birmingham Solo Exhibition of drawings and video. Collaboration with UoB Schools of Psychology and Biosciences. Drawings workshops with stroke survivors, video and dance performance. Arts Counci of England support
2015 ‘Cogn: I’ - Exhibition at the Drum arts Centre, Birmingham- Exhibition of drawings, video, collaborative dance and music performance. Arts Council of England.
2012 ‘Per Forms’- The Drum, Birmingham Multimedia exhibition featuring painting, photographic work, video and live performance
2011 ‘Bombed- a moonlight sonata’– Gallery installation and performances, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry WWII- based multimedia video, live performance, sculpture Installation work. Arts Council of England support Artspace and Herbert Gallery support
2010 ‘Thisibility’ - G2 gallery Solihull Arts Complex, Solihull Solo exhibition of drawings and video. Also featured works by disabled workshop participants from Green Acres Disability Resource Centre, Solihull. Arts Council of England support.
2009 ‘See, Saw’ Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford - Solo exhibition photographic / video installation ‘Ramble’ set in the historic courtroom of the gallery. ‘British Summertime commission. Supported by Hybrid and ACE
2004 and 2005 - Solo exhibitions at RBSA Gallery, Birmingham – ‘Follow’ 2004, ‘Expansions’ 2005 Multimedia exhibition showcasing public sculpture works and exhibiting drawings, paintings, dance (live and on film) and collaborative performances from invited artists.
SECTION 2 GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 ‘RBSA Summer Show - RBSA Gallery, Birmingham. Video work/animation ‘Unlike Bullets’ and acrylic painting ‘For our Children’
2024 ‘RBSA Portrait Prize’ - RBSA Gallery, Birmingham. Acrylic portrait ‘Dad’
2024 ‘Resilience’ – 33 Gallery (Miami/Chicago) and Artsy online. Portrait photograph ‘mother’
2023 ‘RBSA Foyer Exhibition’- RBSA Gallery, Birmingham. Associate Exhibition of drawings, paintings, prints in RBSA Gallery foyer space
2023 ‘A Sense Of Place’ New Art Gallery Walsall, Birmingham - Foot and performance drawings, artist workshops with refugee and mental health groups – Arts in Health. Arts Council of England.
2023 ‘Grayson Perry Art Club’ Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham – Portrait photograph ‘Mother’
2012 ‘Mother Tongue’ - Sydney, Australia commissioned by ‘Theatre Of Dance’, Annalouise Paul (Director) Conceptual Stage Design for multimedia, cross-cultural dance production with.
2019 ‘RBSA Exhibition’ - RBSA Gallery, Birmingham Group Exhibition, oil pastel ‘Immersion’
2019 ‘Made at mac- Tutors Showcase’ - MAC Birmingham, Group Exhibition, video and ‘Mapping Bones’ drawings
2019 ‘Mapping Bones 3’ – Drawing Projects UK, Trowbridge, Solo Exhibition, drawing performance with violinist Gina Griffin/ drawing workshops - Arts Council England support
2018 ‘Contemporary Art Fairs Windsor’ – Windsor Racecourse. Pencil Foot drawing of Windsor Castle, live performance drawing of horse sculpture and presentation
2018 ‘Forms In Light- KPP prize’- Sunnybank Mills, Leeds. Video ‘Beyond Edge’
2018 ‘Open All Media’’ - RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, Group exhibition
2018 ‘Members and Associates Exhibition’- ORT Gallery, Birmingham
2017 ‘Open All Media- Friends Exhibition’- RBSA Gallery, Birmingham. Drawings ‘Man Reading’, ‘Man Sleeping’.
2017 ‘Made at mac’ – Tutors Exhibition, Midlands Arts Centre. ‘Mapping Bones’ drawings and video
2017 Bad Princess’ – Black Swan Arts Gallery, Frome, Somerset. Video work ‘Want’ and live performance
2016 ‘Art & Science Festival – University of Birmingham. Live public engagement, drawings created with feet- ‘Knokyorsoxoff’ ©
2016 ‘Draw to Perform 3-International Symposia’- The Crows Nest gallery, London. Performance drawing in Portobello Market, London and workshop at the Crows Nest Gallery
2015 ‘We All Draw-Thinkng Through Drawing’ International Symposium- Oxo Tower, London Drawing performance ‘Feet face feet’ at Cognition Research and Education symposia’.
2015 ‘Artist in Residence – international Workshop on Interpersonal Postural Interaction University of Birmingham Live performance drawing,
2015 ‘Limits’ -‘Art & Science Festival University of Birmingham Live public engagement, drawings created with feet
2011 ‘Draw, Paint, Video, Install’ – Zellig gallery, Custard Factory, Birmingham
2011 ‘Limits’ - Folkestone Triennial Fringe Festival and New Art Gallery Walsall Public performance drawing in Folkestone city centre and at New Art Gallery Walsall.
2010 ‘’Thisability’ – in ‘Making Sense Group Exhibition Shire Hall Gallery Drawings created using elbows and feet. Also featured works by participants from Neuropsychiatry Day Service, Harplands Hospital, Stoke on Trent.
2005 – Digital Collage prints selected for Print collector’s fair - RBSA Gallery, Birmingham
By invitation from RBSA, print works from ‘Urban Tapestry’ selected for show
SECTION 3 PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS and AWARDS
2022-24 ‘Peddimore Public Art’ Birmingham - Stainless steel artwork to benches and wayfinding posts in landscaped walk- Birmingham. Commissioned by IM Properties PLC
2018 ‘The Last Leaf’ Castle Vale, Birmingham - 5.2m Stainless and painted steel sculpture. Community-based public art for The Pioneer Group and Active Arts Castle Vale
2017 a-n The Artist Information Company Travel Bursary Award, Venice Biennale, ItalyFoot drawings of Biennale pavilions
2016 ‘Portland Works Inside Out’ – Light and Sound. Event for Festival of Mind, SheffieldLarge-scale video/animation projection-mapped onto Listed building Portland works, Sheffield
2012 ‘Return of the Raven’ J2 Health and Wellbeing Centre , Newcastle-unedr-Lyme – Swimming pool window screen. Laminate print to 50m swimming pool wndow for Newcastle-under-Lyme MBC.
2010 ‘Under The Sun’ Handsworth, Birmingham - 4.2m Stainless and painted steel sculpture . Steel and vitreous enamel sculpture involving public engagement. Client Birmingham City Council.
2002 ‘Urban Tapestry’ Birmingham – Digital collage. 24 Digital image panels to enhance crowd control barriers used in city centre events and festivals. Client Birmingham City Council
2002 ‘Seams Of time’ ex-mining village of Highley, Shropshire – Sculpture Trail. 4.5m steel and ceramic tile sculpture ‘Song of Steam Trains’ and bronze plaque pavement trail ‘Seam’. Client Bridgnorth District Council.
SECTION 4 FILM / ANIMATION/THEATRE AND LIVE PERFORMANCE
2005-06 ‘Coloured Hymns’ – short film selected for Digital Shorts Festival, Birmingham Dance-on-film supported by Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), Birmingham. Screened on BBC Big Screen Birmingham.
2005 ‘Jayne Ayre‘- opera stage design and dance performance CBSO Centre, Birmingham. Premier production of John Schubert’s opera of ‘Jane Eyre produced by Opera Mint (Client). Stage design, poster design and dance performance and
2005 ‘Drum Light’ – Live interactive, multimedia performance. Live dance and music performance using interactive computer technology, percussion instruments and moving image. Supported by BBC Big Screen, Birmingham and Technology and the Innovation Centre Birmingham (TIC)
2003 ‘Surge’ – Multimedia performance, ‘The Living Room, Birmingham (Collide Commission). Lead artist for event fusing live music, improvisational dance, photography, poetry and digital projections. Synthesis of music, dance and architecture. Supported by Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England
SECTION 5 ARTS IN HEALTH
2017 ‘SENSIBILITY’ – complex impairment and elderly project. Art workshops and maze installation project with ‘Sense’ and mac Birmingham. Involved working with elderly and complex impairment (deaf-blind). Video work ‘Welcome to my House’
2008 ‘Wall Hangings’- Digital collage works and co-collaborative participation Production of visual artworks with patients of day care services for brain injury, on theme of mental health. Harplands Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent. Client North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust
2010 ‘Thisibility’ - Solo exhibition G2 gallery Solihull Arts Complex, Solihull. Exhibition of drawings and video. Also featured works by workshop participants from Green Acres Disability Resource Centre, Solihull. Supported by Arts Council (ACE)
2007 ’Being Inspired’ - Green Acres Disability Centre and Solihull Arts Complex - 2007. Lead Artist on digital photography workshops teaching physically disabled digital media creativty
2006 ‘Digital Arts Trolley’ - Arts in Health Bucknall Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent. Training ‘Pain Diversion’ therapists to use photography, video and desktop publishing tools in creative activities with patients in elderly ward.