Sadly, we don’t celebrate those we admire enough while they’re still with us. It’s only once they’re gone we often outpour love and admiration. An outdoor exhibition will celebrate the life of poet Benjamin Zephaniah in Birmingham City Centre next month.
Born and raised in Handsworth, Benjamin Zephaniah was one the great writers of modern British literature. His first book of poetry, Pen Rhytmn, was published in 1980 and his latest work, We Sang Across The Sea: The Empire Windrush And Me, came out in 2023. After a short battle with a brain tumour, he passed away in December last year, aged 65.
This free exhibition in Victoria Square will feature more than 20 specially curated artworks from July 5 – 31. Just some of the works at The Brighter Flame will include large-scale black-and-white photos of Zephaniah by Birmingham artist, Pogus Caesar. Plus, a series of poems and photographs by Zephaniah and Caesar from their first large-scale project, Handsworth 1985 Revisited.
Inspired by dub music, life in Birmingham and his Barbadian-Jamaican heritage, Benjamin’s work often tackled political injustice and societal racism head-on. It was an old typewriter, gifted to him as a child, that inspired him to become a writer, however – and photographs of it will feature in this exhibition. As well as stills from The Tiny Spark, a conceptual film about the Handsworth Riots of 1985.
Created with support from the Zephaniah family, a Q&A with David O Springer, Zephaniah’s brother, plus poetry recitals from spoken-word performers will also take place at The Exchange on Broad Street. In addition, flags designed in his memory will fly high on Colmore Row.
“Benjamin Zephaniah was a true giant of literature with a lyrical prose and delivery that drew attention to the issues faced by so many,” said art historian Ruth Millington, who has co-curated the exhibition with Pogus Caesar. It’s also funded by Colmore BID, as part of the 100 Days of Creativity programme.
“It’s only right his work continues to be recognised and celebrated, particularly in a format that takes his work to the streets through powerful photography and imagery. I hope The Brighter Flame continues to honour Benjamin Zephaniah’s memory in his hometown.”
In 2008, Benjamin Zephaniah was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers and won numerous awards and honorary doctorates for his literature. He also made numerous acting and media appearances, most recently as the preacher Jeremiah Jesus in BBC’s Peaky Blinders. In April, a new mural commemorating the ‘dub poet’ was revealed in Handsworth Park.