Birmingham Surrealists

[Martyn]

Available on BBC Sounds, and taking the listener back to a largely forgotten aspect of Birmingham in the 1930s, 'The Balsall Heath Bohemians' is worth a listen even if you have little or no interest in art or surrealism. One of the artists mentioned, Emma Bridgewater, has a blue plaque on her former home in Lee Crescent, and there's contributions from Desmond Morris of 'Naked Ape' fame.

The Balsall Heath Bohemians: Stewart Lee celebrates the Birmingham Surrealists - BBC Sounds

Stewart Lee uncovers the pioneers of surrealism subverting reality in Birmingham's suburbs

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[wam]

Something else that might be of interest

Desmond Morris - Information Page

The Desmond Morris, Information Page

www.desmond-morris.com

There was a TV documentary a few years back calling him "The last of the surrealists" - he was the last of the Birmingham group still alive - and there are clips of various things available on the site. There's nothing on there since 2023 but no-one has posted an obituary so maybe he's still alive out there.

 

[pjmburns]

According to Wikipedia and the biography in the link on post #2 he has lived in Ireland since the death of his wife. Living near his son and family.

 

[Vivienne14]

Apparently the Emmy Bridgewater group of surrealists were opposed to London Surrealists because the Birmingham group wanted to be more revolutionary and scandalous. The artists Conroy Maddox and John Melville, and the writer Robert Melville - all Brummies - worked with Emmy to form the Birmingham Surrealists, with Oscar Mellor and Desmond Morris joining them later on.The group was often overlooked.

 

[Martyn]

Conroy Maddox is commemorated by Maddox House on Edmund Street, the plaque reads 'The work of surrealism can never be conclusive, it is more of an exploration, a journey and a struggle.'

This is his obituary from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jan/19/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries