Gallery and video: Self contained art exhibition in Dudley town centre
Artists and archivists united to create a unique installation in the centre of a Black Country town.
Led by Sparkbrook-raised and internationally-renowned street artist Mohammed Ali MBE, 'Strong Rooms' is a tourable art installation that has seen two shipping containers transformed inside and out with contemporary artwork inspired by the area's past.
Ali, also known as Aerosol Arabic, combined his talents with those of fellow West Midlands-based artists Melanie Tomlinson, Anand Chhabra and Shaheen Ahmed, to turn the 20ft shipping containers into an art installation in Dudley town centre last week, complete with background information for visitors and activities for children.
In particular they were inspired by Dudley Archives' records on the bravery of Dorothie Feilding, the aristocrat turned Western Front nurse, with her letters forming a moving and interactive artwork by Melanie Tomlinson centred around a desk.
As well as Dudley Archives, the artists worked with students at Dudley College to research the history of Feilding and other notable figures, including that of trade unionist Mary Macarthur who made a striking portrait created in Mohammed Ali's trademark street-style.#
Meanwhile Anand Chhabra worked with the college's photography students from Dudley College to produce snapshots of historic people, while Shaheen Ahmed's piece was a collection of fezzes in honour of the north African troops known as the Zouaves, who were among those who Feilding helped to treat.
Working alongside the artists for the past four months was Dudley archivist Richard Lewis, who said: "It was really well-received, with around 1,800 people looking inside the containers or coming over to look at the outside and have a chat with us. Lots of people were stopping to see what it was all about.
"It was a great opportunity to promote the work of the archives, right in the centre of Dudley, making more people aware of what we do and how much is available for those interested in local history.
He added: "Shaheen also did a drop-in workshop for young people at the Black Country Living Museum to promote the project and designed some of the activities for children we used last week."
