Lloyd I will give you and Tom shared honours
You are right, like so many of Birmingham’s works of art it is by William James Bloye. This is the information I have other than a knowledge of the fact that he sculpted many artistic additions to many public buildings and commercial premises in and around Birmingham.
Title Mermaid Fountain
Sculptor Bloye, William James
Assistant Kings, Raymond Forbes
Date of design 1960-61
Location Edgbaston Park Road
Precise Location Student's UnionBuilding, University of Birmingham, Mermaid Court
Bloye was commissioned to design this fountain, as well as the mermaid relief on completion of the extension of the Students Union building in 1960. The university coat of arms depicts a mermaid, hence the choice of subject.
The mermaid has a blissful expression on her face, which together with the upward surge of her body and open arms worshipping the sun, expresses joy. The figure stands on top of an elaborate two-tiered bowl, shaped like a scallop, which is itself in the centre of a shallow water filled basin.
Phil