On 7 December 2019, two painted reindeer appeared on a wall in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, creating the illusion they were pulling a bench as if it were a sledge. Hours later, the artwork was confirmed by Banksy, who shared an image of a homeless man named Ryan resting on the bench, accompanied by the words “God bless Birmingham.” Banksy highlighted the compassion of the community, noting that passers-by gave Ryan drinks and snacks without him asking.
Since its unveiling, the Banksy bench has been vigilantly protected by the Jewellery Quarter community, with donations made to local homeless charities every Christmas in its honour. In 2022, a festive installation featuring Father Christmas, created by Birmingham artist Dion Kitson, drew thousands of visitors and national attention. The initiative helped the local charity SIFA Fireside raise nearly £10,000.
Building on this momentum, the community now aims to expand the project to generate greater support for those experiencing homelessness throughout the year. Steve Lovell, marketing and communications manager for the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, explained plans to collaborate with a Birmingham jeweller to transform the bench into a jeweller’s workspace. This would allow Birmingham-based artists and creatives to produce new work at the site with proceeds benefiting SIFA Fireside.
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The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust has partnered with Birmingham City University and Ikon Gallery to develop “God Bless Birmingham” into an ongoing programme of creative interventions centred on the Banksy bench. Initially, the protective Perspex covering the artwork will be replaced due to wear and condensation damage.
Looking further ahead to Christmas 2026, jeweller and artist Dauvit Alexander, alongside students from the globally recognised School of Jewellery, will lead an activation of the workspace. Organisers are currently seeking a partner to help fund this project by providing necessary resources to enable ambitious interventions that create enduring social impact.
“Last year’s activation reached an estimated 13 million people,” said Steve Lovell. “We are searching for a project partner who wants to deliver a high-profile initiative supporting people experiencing homelessness in Birmingham and demonstrating commitment to the local community. The partner will gain named status, logo placement on site and across partner channels, media coverage, and opportunities to engage with the makers.”
Members of the public are encouraged to support the cause by donating to SIFA Fireside or other homelessness charities and visiting the Banksy bench. Steve emphasised, “Even if no new installation is present, we want people to come, take photos, and share the artwork on social media so the message is kept alive. That’s what Banksy would want - ongoing conversation about these issues.”
He reflected on the significance of the bench: “Birmingham is a large city facing many challenges. I believe Banksy chose it because he knows it has a strong artistic community ready to address homelessness. The bench represents hope - the belief that communities can come together to solve serious social problems through art. If this helps those without homes, it’s truly remarkable.”