Central BID has transformed Mailbox underpass into a brighter, vibrant open-air art gallery featuring some of Birmingham’s most famous bands. Duran Duran UB40, ELO and Black Sabbath have all been honoured.
Working with talented local artists and Castle Fine Art, the project using Central BID and Shared Prosperity Fund money has seen the underpass overhauled with a deep clean, brighter lighting, new artwork and refresh to Commonwealth Games legacy pieces.
Mr Murals was commissioned to recreate classic album covers by Duran Duran, UB40, ELO and Black Sabbath on the concrete walls and has attracted global attention on social media during the process.
Street artist Annatomix has created a colourful geometric design to complement Commonwealth Games piece, The Portal.
Alongside these is an illustrated map of Birmingham sights by famed mapmaker Tom Wooley and a picture gallery from Castle Fine Art’s roster of respected artists.
Central BID’s team has been working hard since January to make the once-drab walkway a more appealing spot for those who those working, shopping or visiting the city centre.
A huge positive public reaction has flooded into Central BID with comments including “amazing”, “absolutely stunning”, “beautiful” and “brilliant work”. Many added it had “improved their route to and from work”.
Meet the artists behind Mailbox underpass
Birmingham iconic music albums by Mr Murals
Birmingham artist Mr Murals – who worked with Central BID on its world famous Black Sabbath mural, later signed by Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – returned to paint four classic albums by global music icons.
Covers of Duran Duran’s Rio, UB40’s Labour of Love, ELO’s Out Of The Blue and Black Sabbath’s Vol.4 have made the walls of the underpass perfect selfie spots.
“These artworks reinforce Birmingham’s music heritage to the world, something this city can be proud of,” added Steve Hewlett, Central BID Manager.
Central BID has reinstalled the Black Sabbath album cover outdoor exhibition in the underpass alongside the new music murals to enhance the spot as a free visitor attraction honouring Birmingham’s music legacy for heavy metal, rock, pop and reggae.
Annatomix artwork around The Portal
Respected Birmingham street artist Annatomix was commissioned by Central BID to create a visual display to complement The Portal – a Commonwealth Games legacy light installation.
Central BID has refurbished The Portal, created by James Glancy Design for 2022, to add vibrancy to the piece.
It now has Annatomix’s enthralling spray-painted geometric pattern and full spectrum of LED colour surrounding it.
Annatomix said: “It was a lot of fun to go back to my roots in geometric pattern work, taking inspiration from the architecture, the shape of the installation and colour.”
Birmingham illustrated map by Tom Wooley
Globally-recognised mapmaker Tom Wooley has taken an uninspiring canopy of the underpass archways and transformed them into a huge illustrated map guiding visitors to highlights around the city.
Another Birmingham talent, Tom specialises in maps and his design in hues of blue and yellow feature everything from Ozzy The Bull to the world’s largest Primark and historic The Alexandra theatre. There’s even the words ‘Birmingham Forever’ next to Ozzy Osbourne in his final gig.
Tom said: “It was an honour to work with Central BID on a new illustrated map mural for Birmingham city centre. The brief was to adds a splash a colour to the underpass and help point people in the right direction.”
Castle Fine Art’s outdoor gallery
There are 24 pieces of art installed in Mailbox underpass from Castle Fine Art. It features work by a roster of their respected artists for passers-by to browse in this open air gallery through the year.
“Our ambition is to develop this space for further creative events and market places,” added Steve.
Commonwealth legacy refurbished
Along with The Portal, another Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy artwork Mail BLOX has been refurbished to breathe new life into the beautiful colourful piece.
Find the Mailbox underpass infront of Mailbox between Mailbox Square and Navigation Street in Birmingham city centre.