Don’t ask us why (actually do, we’ve written about it here), but Birmingham loves bulls. Between Ozzy the Bull, The Guardian outside of the Bullring and 2022’s Commonwealth Mascot Perry, we just can’t get enough of these raging bulls. Our love will only grow deeper in 2025.
A new arts trail coming next year will celebrate the iconic bulls of Birmingham. Based on the legendary 2.2m bronze bull it will be arriving in the summer of 2025. Created by the UK-based arts events company, Wild in Art – who was responsible for the Snowdogs trail over Christmas – this trail is in partnership with Birmingham Hospice.
The bronze statue aka The Guardian aka The Birmingham Bull was created by sculptor Laurence Broderick and has become a popular tourist destination and city mascot. Sitting outside the entrance of the Bullring, it has come to symbolise the spirit of the city and its people – strength, persistence and determination. This new art trail will celebrate both the past and future of the Bullring and Birmingham.
This will be Wild In Art’s seventh Birmingham art trail – with previous trails including owls, bears, penguins and snowmen. In 2021, Wild In Art notably brought 51 uniquely designed human-shaped sculptures by UK artists to the city. The spectacular touring public art installation, Gratitude, was created to thank NHS staff and all key workers. It has also produced art sculpture trails for the London 2012 Olympics and the Ryder Cup.
“Wild in Art has a long history in Birmingham and we are delighted to be back,” said Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art. “This time we are teaming up with Birmingham Hospice to create a brand-new art trail which will be brought to life across the city in 2025.
“The trail will be very much partnership led with the ambition of bringing businesses, the creative sector, young people and communities together to celebrate all that is Birmingham, as well as highlighting the important work of Birmingham Hospice in a fun and engaging manner. We are looking forward to getting started.”
The large sculptures will be decorated by both local and national artists. There will also be a learning programme with children and young people from Birmingham’s schools and young people’s groups creating smaller bull sculptures – which will be displayed in venues around the city. At the end of the trail, the large sculptures will be auctioned to raise money for Birmingham Hospice – the primary provider of adult palliative and end-of-life care in the city and its surrounding areas. To register your interest head here.