Solihull’s links to the Surrealist art movement will be celebrated with the opening of a brand-new exhibition – ‘Surreal Solihull’ – in Solihull town centre on Thursday 6 March.
And to get everyone in a sur-really good mood, there’s a packed programme of free performances, tours and workshops for the opening night and weekend on Thursday 6 March and Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 March.
‘Surreal Solihull’ takes as its starting point the work of Solihull’s pioneering Surrealist artist and poet Emmy Bridgwater who founded and worked with the Birmingham Surrealists throughout the 1930s and 40s.
As well as featuring several art works by Emmy Bridgwater, 29 local artists have been commissioned to create new Surrealist artworks which will be shown for the first time at the free entry exhibition on Solihull High Street from 6 March – 31 May 2025.
Opening night:
On Thursday 6 March the surreal fun starts with performances on the High Street from 7 – 8.30pm. These include a dance performance by local professional dancer Rob Hemming, a devised music and dance piece by musician Kris Chase Byrne, and an imagined meeting between Frida Kahlo and Emmy Bridgwater performed by theatre company Itzatna.
On Saturday 8 March:
Meet the exhibition’s curator, author and writer Ruth Millington, at 11am by Metro Bank on the High Street for a 30-minute personal tour of the exhibition.
Then at 1pm on the High Street, and 3pm in Touchwood, join musician Isaac Boothman as he creates an array of sounds in a musical tribute to surrealism. This will ere is also a dance duet featuring dance artist Nicola Nevitt, a two woman show by local theatre makers Skylar Mabry and Kelly Casey and a one woman show by Rupinder Kaur.
There are also workshops for families at The Core on Saturday. Poet Adrian Johnson invites family groups aged 6 years and over to join in with some surreally good fun and games at 10am and 2pm. Create mini dreamscapes inspired by Solihull and share new poems written on the day plus specially commissioned new pieces including a swinging little number inspired by Touchwood icon – Gordon the Monkey! Families can also join Alison Penn for a fun dance workshop at 1pm.
The weekend’s events finish on Sunday 9 March with:
Performances on the High Street from 12noon and in Touchwood from 2pm. Help theatre makers Amber Gollay and Annie Brighton make a puppet for a performance based on a surrealist game, Vivi Bayliss will present a dance solo, Amy Leigh Sandford will share her reflections on surrealism based on conversations with the public and Disorderly theatre will present their new piece ‘Lobster Phone’.
Throughout the exhibition’s run, visitors can scan QR codes (or type in links) to listen to a new composition based on Emmy Bridgwater’s dreamlike artworks by musician Natalie Roe and see a dance film featuring local dancers Alison Penn and Millie Best.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Wazma Qais, said: “Surrealist Art began a century ago but as the exhibition and our opening celebrations will show, its influence can be felt today in contemporary art, music and performance.
“The ‘Surreal Solihull’ exhibition gives both new and established contemporary local artists an opportunity to engage with the Surrealist art movement and showcase their art in a variety of mediums – from painting and drawing to collage and digital photography.
“And as we celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, I’m proud that we are able to highlight the work of local artist and writer Emmy Bridgwater and the impact that she made not only locally in the West Midlands, but on the international stage.
“I hope you will enjoy our Surreal weekend and this beautiful and inspiring exhibition.”
‘Surreal Solihull’ takes place from 6 March – 31 May 2025 on Solihull High Street.
To find out more, including information about all the artists and performers involved, please visit – Surreal Solihull – Outdoor Exhibition
‘Surreal Solihull’ has been developed thanks to funding from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and in partnership with Solihull Council, The Mayor Gallery in London and the Emmy Bridgwater Estate.