The winner has been announced for the Birmingham Open 2025 art call, which gave emerging artists a platform to shine with a free outdoor exhibition in Victoria Square and Snow Hill Square.
Ispahani Mukah, whose artwork ‘Light Keeper’ (pictured below) captivated the judging panel – earning him a £1,000 cash prize, a portfolio review and special 2025 award: a joint exhibition at Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Art.
A joint project between Central BID and Colmore BID, the Birmingham Open 25 was an open call and competition for all printable forms of artwork, providing a platform to talented, emerging Birmingham artists who are producing exceptional work.
Mukah is a Birmingham-based emerging multidisciplinary artist whose intricate ballpoint pen artworks explore identity, cultural spontaneity and the divine. Drawing from his Cameroonian heritage and life in the UK, his work revives overlooked histories and sparks dialogue around identity.
Speaking of his win, Ispahani Mukah said: “Winning the Birmingham Open 25 Competition is an incredible honour. I’m truly grateful that my biro drawing, “Light Keeper”, deeply resonated with Birmingham’s vibrant community. It’s been a privilege meeting some of the city’s most remarkable talents and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the organisers, judges, and Colmore Business District for championing artistic expression. This recognition not only validates my artistic voice but also serves as a springboard for what’s ahead.”
The theme of this year’s competition was LIGHT following the first Birmingham Light Festival. The exhibition works include a range of imaginative responses that capture and frame light in a myriad of ways.
The Highly Commended prize has been awarded to Dinah Hobbs, 48, whose watercolour artwork ‘The Upside Down Bridge’ stood out to the judges for its bold vision and compelling narrative. Dinah will also receive a portfolio review, a £1,000 cash prize and feature at the BCU exhibition.
The public is now invited to help decide the People’s Choice Award, the third and final prize of the competition. Voting is open until the exhibition ends [Friday 27 June 2025] and visitors simply visit the exhibition site at Snow Hill Square and scan a QR code to pick their favourite. The People’s Choice award winner will also receive a portfolio review, inclusion at the BCU exhibition and £1,000 cash prize.
Ruth Millington, arts writer and curator of Birmingham Open 25, said: “I’d like to thank the judging panel, which included last year’s winning artist Ava Khera, Gallery Director Tim Ison, Culture Forward’s Charlene Carter-James, and Dr David Osbaldestin, BCU for sharing their time and expertise.
“Following a full day of discussions, we agreed on the two winners for their technical ability and original, captivating responses to the theme of light. We were most impressed by the visual intensity, created with a humble biro pen, by Ispahani Mukah, while the atmospheric quality of Dinah Hobbs’ painting also stood out.”
The Birmingham Open 25 exhibition is live at Snow Hill Square and Victoria Square until Friday 27 June 2025. The outdoor exhibitions are free to attend, and visitors are encouraged to crown their ‘People’s Choice’ winner at the Snow Hill Square site.