News - Verity Milligan Solo Exhibition

Renowned Birmingham photographer Verity Milligan hosts her first solo exhibition at Museum of the Jewellery Quarter...

Stunning images of iconic Birmingham locations are on display at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter this weekend, as renowned Birmingham photographer Verity Milligan hosts her first solo exhibition in the city.

The six month exhibition, which opened to the public last Saturday, 28th January, showcases fifteen of Verity’s popular images. The exhibition includes some of Verity’s most well-known photographs, including Cherry Blossom at the Ikon Gallery and Sunrise over Selfridges, along with images of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham’s canals.

Verity’s images aim to showcase the best that Birmingham has to offer and the exhibition will give locals and tourists alike the chance to see the city through her lens. Verity picked the exhibition images in collaboration with the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, and prints will be available to buy in the museum’s gift shop.

The exhibition will be on display at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter’s new commercial gallery space in the Smith & Pepper Tea Room. This new space has been launched to coincide with the museum’s 25th anniversary year. The museum already stocks a wide range of local jewellers and will now continue to showcase local artwork in the gallery space.

The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter offers a unique glimpse of working life in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. When the proprietors of the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing firm retired in 1981 they simply ceased trading and locked the door, unaware they would be leaving a time capsule for future generations. Today the factory is a fascinating museum, which tells the story of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham’s renowned jewellery and metalworking heritage.

Alex Nicholson-Evans, Commercial Director at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to host the first solo show of this well-loved Birmingham photographer. Verity’s images show how beautiful Birmingham is, something we are always keen to champion at Birmingham Museums. This is a very important year for the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter as we celebrate 25 years as a public museum and we wanted to mark this milestone by showing our support for the creatives of Birmingham with the launch of our new commercial gallery space. When we were considering which artist to partner with first, Verity immediately came to mind. We love her images of the city and we can’t wait for the people of Birmingham to come and enjoy them with us.”

Verity Milligan, said: “Everyone at Birmingham Museums has been extremely supportive towards my creative endeavours, and hosting my first solo exhibition at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter seems like a natural fit due to its relationship with Birmingham and its cultural significance for the Jewellery Quarter and beyond. I hope the exhibition will act as a gateway to discovery and encourage people to explore this fascinating museum. It seemed fitting to include some imagery of the Jewellery Quarter as that’s where the museum is located, but the selection of images have been chosen to give a broad photographic overview of the city. I can’t wait for people to see them and I hope they enjoy the exhibition.”

There will be fifteen 12 x 8inch prints of Verity’s iconic images for sale at the museum. They will cost £25 each, except for Cherry Blossom at the Ikon Gallery (below) which will be a limited edition print, hand numbered and signed, and will be available for £50. Find out more on the Museum website at www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Images - Verity E. Milligan Photography