As featured by the BBC! Jon Jones unveils huge Peaky Blinders mural outside Birmingham's New Street station
The last-ever episode of Peaky Blinders may have aired this April, but you can still see your favourite characters up-close, thanks to Jon Jones' incredible 50-metre installation in Birmingham city centre. Featuring names like Thomas Shelby, Alfie Solomons and Polly Gray, the public art display has already been highlighted by the BBC, ITV and Metro newspaper, with the show's creator, Steven Knight, calling it "vivid and brilliant". In support of Birmingham Children's Hospital, Castle Fine Art will donate £1 for every image that @castlegalleries is tagged in on social media with the hashtag #Brum4BCH.
Helping Birmingham Children's Hospital
The Peaky Blinders criminal gang may have been famous for robbery, smuggling and bribery, but now they're helping to raise much-needed funds for the sick children in the hospital's care. As part of our continued partnership with Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, we will donate £1 for every image of the wall posted across Facebook and Instagram tagging @castlefineart with the hashtag #Brum4BCH.
Chief executive of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Mark Brider, says: “We’re incredibly thankful to our great friends at Castle Fine Art and Central BID Birmingham for supporting us in this unique way. Jon Jones’s portrayal of Birmingham’s infamous gangsters is visually stunning and we’d urge everyone to come and see his artwork next time they’re in the city centre.
“This year the Children’s Hospital celebrates its 160th anniversary and we want to make sure we’re here to support the children and families who might need us for the next 160 years, and beyond. If you enjoy the artwork please consider donating to support our sick kids. Every penny raised will make a huge difference to our brave patients in their time of need.”
Approval of Peaky Blinders creator
The award-winning Peaky Blinders series was created by the British screenwriter and film director Steven Knight, who grew up in Birmingham. Steven says: “I am incredibly proud and honoured that Peaky Blinders has been woven into the tapestry of our great city in such a vivid and brilliant way. I hope people will come from far and wide to take their photos and help such a deserving Birmingham cause. From now on in Brum, every blank wall should be seen as an opportunity for art.”
Proud to be a Brummie
While creating the original paintings that inspired the mural, Jon worked extensively with the West Midlands Police Museum to discover the history of Birmingham. Jon says: “I love this city and I am proud to be a Brummie. I have had some amazing moments as an artist but to have my work exhibited on the streets of Birmingham, where it will be seen by so many people, leaves me speechless.
"Especially as the paintings are based on characters by the unbelievably talented and creative Steven Knight, a fellow proud Birmingham lad who has put Birmingham on the map. It also fills me with immense pride that it will raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, an institution that helps and supports so many families in our city.”
Group managing director of Castle Fine Art, Ian Weatherby-Blythe, adds: “Castle Fine Art has long championed local talent and causes close to home. It is with pride and pleasure that we bring this art installation to the city of Birmingham."
