In Conversation with Local Artists: Sandra Pamela Palmer (known as 'Brummy Artist')
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For our current series on the Selly Manor Museum blog, we have been 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. It is important to Selly Manor to spotlight local artists as they are key to keeping our community a vibrant and dynamic place to live.
For our next post of the series, we have spoken to digital collage artist Sandra Pamela Palmer (known as 'Brummy Artist') who combines cityscapes, nature and her own lived experiences into striking collages.
Sandra with her collage entitled 'Soliwood', displayed in Solihull
Q1: Could you tell us a little about yourself and your work as an artist?
“I’m Sandra Palmer, known as the 'Brummy Artist Fine Art'. I call my style 'urban alchemy': I layer photos I've taken of local landmarks and landscapes with photos of flowers from my garden, as well as scenes I've captured when I’ve been out and about around Brum. I also create floral crown collages for people and pets. My work is influenced by my life, specifically my Catholic, Jamaican, and Brummy upbringing. My aim is to highlight the beauty of places we may overlook. With Birmingham's ever-changing skyline, I immortalise places rooted in memory.”
Q2: How does Bournville (and/or the surrounding areas) inspire your work?
“Bournville feels built for artists - it's picture perfect. It fits in with my mission of community and positivity. It was originally built by the Cadbury family for the wellbeing of the working community. It is filled with beautiful architecture and greenery - just like my art."
'Outside the gate in full bloom' by Sandra Pamela Palmer
Q3: Bournville is surrounded by both green spaces and city scape – how do each of these influence your work?
“I love that botanicals bring a softness and natural beauty to my art, whereas the cityscape brings grit and structure. It took a few years of trial and error to create my style. I find the blend visually exciting.”
Q4: Is there a particular piece of local history or heritage that you find yourself drawn to? Why do you think this is?
“Since being a part of Surreal Solihull, I love Emmy Bridgewater (one of our local surrealist pioneers), as well as the Cadbury family's vision for Bournville. Birmingham has always been a place where industrial work meets creative imagination and care for people, and that history keeps me inspired.”
Q5: Why do you think art is important to the local community?
“It gives people a reason to pause. In a busy, constantly changing city, local art breaks up the grey routine and lets residents take pride in where they live. It sparks conversations across generations and reminds us who we are.”
'Brum Town' by Sandra Pamela Palmer
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?
“Locals recognise the buildings immediately, but my work asks them to look twice. Birmingham is famously multicultural, so when I drop in things like hummingbirds and Parma Violets, I not only reach Brummies and expats but also those with a similar story to mine: with families from abroad and the Windrush era. I hope my art connects with those personal and nostalgic details.”
Q7: Do you have a favourite artwork that you’ve created that you could talk us through?
“One of my favourite pieces features the recently closed House of Fraser Building and Oasis shopping centre. It’s based on places that are no longer open to the public. The latter was closed last year at very short notice so I was really happy that I took photos of it beforehand. With 'Brum's Bygone Era' I've contrasted the black and white photography of brutalist architecture with colourful flowers, to signify hope and art rooted in memory.”
'Brum's Bygone Era' by Sandra Pamela Palmer
Q8: What is next for you – do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re excited about?
“I'm continuing to create and expand my collections. I've recently added the perfect gifting options to my website - Birth flower art prints and Monogram art prints with my distinctive botanical art style. I'm also dropping a new series of limited-edition prints in September for Christmas (based on my childhood love of chess) called 'Brum's Gambit'. They are giclee prints that are inspired by chess boards and are fully playable (once framed) but are equally gorgeous on your walls! I've swapped the starter position pieces for artwork based on Birmingham landmarks - including photos I’ve taken of Ozzy the Bull (swapped for the King) and the Sir Antony Gormley’s Iron Man in Victoria Square (swapped for the Bishops.) There are 3x colourways but only 25 of each with the option of framing. Pre-order opens on the 1st of September (24-48 hours earlier for newsletter subscribers) with delivery at the beginning of December, well in time for Christmas.”
'Heart of Brum: The Jewellery Quarter' by Sandra Pamela Palmer
Our thanks to Sandra for taking the time to share how Birmingham's vibrancy and variety inspires her to create. To see more of Sandra's work, head to Sandra Palmer Fine Art or find her on Instagram via @brummyartist
Written by Niamh Reid, Museum Assistant