New Midlands International Artists Collective launches with group exhibition that explores ideas of heritage, home, journeys and identity.

Opening on 21 May at Solihull’s Courtyard Gallery, Belongings is a group exhibition featuring the work of 20 diverse artists from the West Midlands who have recently formed the new collective MIAC (Midlands International Artists Collective) during their time on the inaugural ‘Get Gallery Ready’ bootcamp at Solihull College & University Centre.

This group of artists have come together to explore themes of belonging, identity, journey, heritage and multiculturalism for their first show, which will include paintings, photography, weaving, textiles and ceramics, alongside other mixed-media works.

The physical space of the home, as a space of belonging, is evoked in the paintings of Fiona Carr who layers images of floral wallpaper which seems to whisper past secrets about women’s lives in domestic spaces.

Wallpaper motifs continue in the digital collages of Sandra Palmer aka Brummy Artist, whose work allows her to frame – in empowering, vibrant and floral terms – multiple senses of self and a mixed heritage.

A more emotional and cultural sense of belonging is embedded in the geometric paintings of Hasret Brown, whose patterned cosmos reflects her Turkish roots and influences, including centuries-old Islamic art and architecture.

Other artists have questioned the spaces from which they feel alienated. Combining text and image in her prints, Editoriat highlights public spaces where women often feel unsafe, particularly late at night.

This exhibition is being curated by Birmingham-based art historian and author Ruth Millington.