Of her multi-tonal landscape artwork, The Pink Route, Haseebah Ali says, it ‘represents women roaming in the city. The lino print hints at the restriction’s women face at night in the city and how they may have to take the longer yet ‘safer’ route to get home. The complex linework of the pattern inspired by Islamic architecture speaks to the complexity of the issue and the different winding routes women may have to take at night to get to their home safely. The print directly links into the rise of gender violence and mortality rate of young women of colour. The colours of the print are different hues of pink to purple to show the transformation from day to night. And although pink has been used stereotypically in the past for women, the shade here is powerful and one of a kind.’

Also taking a conceptual view on the geography and features of the city, the cut-and-paste collaged artwork created by Round Lemon x Helen Grundy ‘reimagines one of Birmingham’s most iconic sculptural landmarks: ‘The River’ by Dhruva Mistry… Using surrealism and satire through a feminist lens, ‘The River’ comes to life on this billboard, climbing out of her Jacuzzi and confronting us viewers by turning her gaze towards us. She’s symbolic of the freedom and visibility women in Birmingham have, whilst also acknowledging challenges we face.’

Meanwhile, Leah Hickey is an artist ‘concerned with love, loss and dysphoria.’ Her monochrome and hot pink artwork, My Heart, ‘exorcises the emotional trauma brought about by varying forms of grief: bereavement, betrayal, breakdowns and first loves, to navigate axis of identity under Patriarchy. Bearing illicit reference to visual material from Brian de Palma’s Carrie (1976), overlaid amidst an ominous backdrop of white-hot flames, dancing against the grain rests My heart.’ With each of the three artworks drawing on different facets of Found Cities, Lost Objects’ themes, it furthers the exhibition’s ability to ‘consider the privileges enjoyed and boundaries faced by women in the modern city’. We’re glad to be working with them to contribute to the conversation – while also platforming an exciting collection of female artists in the heart of Birmingham.