Birmingham Underpass Revitalised as City Centre Art Revival Continues

Birmingham’s city centre has breathed new life into the underpass beneath Suffolk Street Queensway, turning it into a vibrant open-air art gallery. This transformation, aimed at enhancing daily journeys, connects Navigation Street to the Mailbox and showcases the city’s rich musical heritage through creative local artworks.

Renowned local artists have contributed striking murals depicting some of Birmingham’s most famous bands, including Duran Duran, ELO, Black Sabbath, and UB40. Among the standout pieces is the ‘Labour of Love’ mural celebrating UB40, painted by Mr Murals, the artist behind the iconic Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street.

Birmingham illustrator Tom Wooley, known for his detailed illustrated maps, has contributed a visual tour of the city’s landmarks, while street artist Annatomix adds a dynamic geometric design to complement a new Commonwealth Games artwork titled The Portal.

Castle Fine Arts, with a branch in the Mailbox, has also supported the project by contributing a gallery showcasing works by some of its most respected artists.

Funded by the Central Business Improvement District (BID) and the Shared Prosperity Fund, the project included a thorough deep clean and the installation of brighter lighting to illuminate the art even after sunset.

Steve Hewlett, BID manager, expressed pride in the initiative, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to creating ‘always on’ outdoor art trails that uplift public spaces across Birmingham. These efforts build on recent projects, such as art installations on New Street shop fronts and the commissioning of Black Sabbath artwork ahead of the Birmingham Super Weekend.

“Our goal is to continually brighten Birmingham’s public areas with professional, local art, enriching the experience for residents, visitors, and workers alike,” said Hewlett. “We remain dedicated to identifying spaces where art can play a transformative role in revitalising the city.”