Description

Hurst Street is a bold Birmingham cityscape artwork that captures the raw atmosphere of this iconic part of the city.

A red car drives toward Smallbrook Queensway, while pedestrians emerge after the rain. Meanwhile, the worn buildings reveal years of neglect, layered with graffiti created by street artists determined to leave their mark. A sticker reading “Sober” clings to a window, while the brutalist spiral staircase twists upward to the roof of a nightclub. Above it all, the sky glows pink and the streets shimmer with puddles, creating both tension and beauty.

This work highlights the contrasts that make Hurst Street so fascinating. On one side, it borders Chinatown. On another, it houses the Hippodrome Theatre and the National Trust’s historic Back-to-Backs. At the same time, it is also the heart of Birmingham’s Gay Village, alive with culture and community. However, for me, the most striking view was here — the graffiti, the staircase, and the abandoned 1960s elevated shops, soon to be renovated.

Though this original artwork has now sold, it remains part of my Birmingham cityscape collection. Consequently, it reflects my ongoing exploration of movement, atmosphere, and the energy of urban life. You can still buy Hurst Street as a Giclée Print – Follow this link to buy!

Inspiration for Hurst Street:

Hurst Street is where cultures, people, and history collide. As a result, the energy of this area always inspires me. I wanted to capture the mix of grit, nightlife, and anticipation that follows the rain. The spiral staircase and graffiti fascinated me because they told stories of neglect, resilience, and transformation.

I was especially drawn to the moment when the pink evening sky contrasted with the damp street. Pedestrians stepped out, heading for restaurants, theatres, or clubs. Therefore, the whole scene felt alive, layered with both history and possibility.

Techniques and media used:

I worked on stretched cartridge paper to achieve fluidity in the atmosphere. First, I began with thin layers of ink, building the colour gradually, while allowing the white of the paper to shine through. Then, I used a diffuser to create the mottled pink sky, which enhanced the damp, post-rain effect.

However, to balance this softness, I added solidity with non-fading fine-liner pens. These defined the buildings and the spiral staircase. Consequently, the combination of loose washes and crisp details allowed me to capture both the fleeting light and the grit of the architecture.