In Conversation with Local Artists: Mahnoor Saparas
Share
Our latest series on the Selly Manor museum blog involves interviewing artists from Bournville, Birmingham and the surrounding areas, finding out about their creative processes and inspirations, their views on Bournville and its community, and their upcoming projects and exhibitions. Local artists are key to keeping our community a vibrant and dynamic place to live.
For our second post, we are interviewing local painter Mahnoor Saparas (known as ArtbyNoori) whose vibrant, energetic artworks depict the joys and resilience of nature.
Mahnoor with the 'Best Visual Artwork of the Year' award at the We Are Creative Awards
Q1: Could you tell us a little about yourself and your work as an artist?
“I’m a Birmingham-based artist who balances a career in accountancy with a passion for painting. Born and raised in Qatar, with Pakistani heritage, I moved to London in 2007, where I studied Economics and Finance at Queen Mary University of London. My multicultural background has given me an appreciation for different places, cultures and ways of seeing the world.
After graduating, I followed a career that appealed to my love of logic and problem-solving. However, it was during lockdown, and after moving to Birmingham, that I rediscovered painting, a passion I’d had since childhood when maths and art were always my favourite subjects. Looking back, it feels fitting that one became my profession while the other became my creative outlet.
Working primarily with acrylics, I create vibrant, textured paintings inspired by everyday moments, memories and landscapes. Light plays an important role in my work, particularly the way it interacts with water and sky. Painting allows me to slow down, switch off from daily life and express emotions that can be difficult to put into words. Through bold colour and expressive mark-making, I hope my work brings warmth, joy and optimism to the viewer.”
Q2: How does Bournville (and/or the surrounding areas) inspire your work?
“I am delighted to be represented by Purple Gallery, based in Bournville, which has strengthened my connection with this wonderful part of Birmingham. Although I have not yet created a body of work specifically focused on Bournville, the wider landscape and character of Birmingham have become an important source of inspiration for my paintings.
I'm drawn to the city's contrasts, from quiet moments of nature and changing light to reflections along the canals and the constant evolution of its urban landscape.
One example is my painting “Concrete Jungle, reclaimed”, inspired by the view from my former flat in Digbeth. What fascinated me was a cluster of buddleia and wildflowers growing through the walls of an abandoned warehouse, set against Birmingham's ever-changing skyline. It reminded me that beauty and resilience can be found in the most unexpected places, a theme that continues to shape my work.”
'Concrete Jungle, reclaimed' by Mahnoor Saparas
Q3: Bournville is surrounded by both green spaces and cityscape – how do each of these influence your work?
“Green spaces influence the softer, more atmospheric elements in my paintings. I’m drawn to changing light, organic forms and the sense of calm found in nature. In contrast, the cityscape brings energy through architecture, textures, history and the stories held within its buildings and streets.
I’m particularly fascinated by the places where these two environments meet, such as moss lined concrete underpasses, skylines full of cranes and a canopy of ancient trees, or historic structures surrounded by modern development. These spaces reflect the character of Birmingham itself, a city where nature and urban life constantly interact.
This balance influences not only what I paint, but how I paint. Through colour, texture and movement, I try to capture the feeling of a place and the emotions it creates.”
'Eternal Horizon' by Mahnoor Saparas
Q4: Is there a particular piece of local history or heritage that you find yourself drawn to? Why do you think this is?
“One piece of local heritage that I find particularly inspiring is The Rest House on Bournville Village Green. The Rest House is actually a piece of local heritage I am currently exploring as inspiration for a new painting.
What fascinates me is the way the building sits within its surroundings. It feels connected to the landscape, with pathways and open green space naturally guiding the viewer’s eye around it. This reminds me of Vincent van Gogh’s “The Church at Auvers”, a painting I have always admired. While the two buildings are very different, I find a visual and emotional connection between them. Both have distinctive silhouettes, dramatic rooflines and an almost storybook quality that gives them a strong sense of character.
Van Gogh’s ability to transform an everyday scene into something full of emotion through colour, movement and expressive mark-making deeply resonates with my own practice.
The Rest House represents exactly the kind of overlooked beauty that inspires me: a place with history, atmosphere and a sense of belonging, waiting to be rediscovered.”
The Rest House on Bournville Green (image credit: britishlistedbuildings.co.uk)
Q5: Why do you think art is important to the local community?
“I believe art is important to the local community because it has the power to bring people together. In a world where people can often feel divided by differences in background, beliefs or where they come from, art provides a shared language that allows us to connect on a deeper, more human level.
Art does not require everyone to have the same experiences or perspectives; instead, it creates a space where different stories, emotions and viewpoints can exist alongside one another. A painting, sculpture or creative work can evoke memories, start conversations and help us understand places and people beyond our own experiences.”
'Where light breaks through' by Mahnoor Saparas
Q6: How do you feel your art connects with the people of Bournville/ Birmingham? Or how do the people of Bournville/Birmingham connect with your work?
“I think one of the strongest connections people make with my work is through colour. My paintings are often recognised for their vibrant palettes, expressive textures and the sense of warmth and energy they bring into a space.
While some artwork invites deeper reflection or tells a specific story, I also believe art can simply be a source of happiness. Not every painting needs to have a complex meaning behind it; sometimes the purpose of a piece is to bring joy, create a feeling, or brighten someone’s day. The process of creating is just as important to me as the final piece; I paint because I love the freedom, exploration and emotion that comes with it.
Many of the people who connect with my work are drawn to that sense of positivity. They tell me that my paintings bring colour, warmth and uplifting energy into their homes, and that means a great deal to me.”
Q7: Do you have a favourite artwork that you’ve created that you could talk us through?
“One of my recent favourite paintings is “Yellow House” inspired by Birmingham’s canal network and the sense of calm and connection it brings to those who pass through it.
This distinctive yellow house along the canal became a personal landmark for me, always lifting my spirits whenever I walked past. I was drawn to the feeling of the place; the way an everyday scene could create a moment of pause and joy within the city. The painting also references the “Birmingham Forever” mural near The Flapper, echoing Ozzy Osbourne’s memorable words during the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, a moment that resonated with Brummies both locally and around the world.
I reimagined the scene during blue hour, using heightened colour, expressive texture and loose flowing mark-making to capture not just the appearance of the place, but the emotion it evokes. For me, this painting represents what I love most about art: taking familiar places and transforming them into something that allows people to reconnect with their surroundings in a new way.”
'Yellow House' by Mahnoor Saparas
Q8: What is next for you – do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re excited about?
“There are several projects I’m excited about as my artistic journey continues to grow. Last year, I was honoured to receive the inaugural “Best Visual Artwork of the Year” award at the We Are Creative Awards hosted by B Events, which was a significant milestone in my journey as an artist.
I was also selected as one of 29 artists commissioned for “Surreal Solihull”, a public art project celebrating Solihull and its connection to local Surrealist artist Emmy Bridgwater. The project invited artists to interpret the town through their own imagination, bringing together its history, landmarks, landscapes and character in unexpected ways.
My piece, “Going Places”, was displayed on billboards across various locations in Solihull. The original painting will be exhibited at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) this autumn, which is a wonderful opportunity to share the work in a gallery setting after its journey through the streets of Solihull.
I’ll also be taking part in the annual Birmingham Open Studios art trail at the end of September, sharing a studio space at YACreates in the Jewellery Quarter. I’m looking forward to meeting visitors, talking about my practice and giving them the chance to see my work in person, with some original paintings available at special prices.”
Mahnoor with her piece 'Going Places' in Solihull
Our thanks to Mahnoor for giving us an insight into her creative mind and how she captures the power and joys of nature. To see more of her artworks, head to: Art By Noori or her twitter and instagram accounts: @artbynoori
Written by Niamh Reid, Museum Assistant