Healing Arts Birmingham 2026

The Official Poster for Healing Arts Birmingham

What is Healing Arts Birmingham?

Healing Arts Birmingham is an internationally recognised campaign run by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The aim is to raise awareness and recognise the positive impact the arts can have on public health and wellbeing. Not only does it celebrate and spotlight the incredible work already taking place across Birmingham and the Midlands, but it also aims to bring communities together and create a lasting legacy by encouraging more creative health projects in the long term.

The Process

The brief was to create a hero image that brings together the city of Birmingham and the event’s partner organisations into one cohesive visual. We spoke a lot about ensuring it reflected the city’s rich diversity, as well as its history as the “City of a Thousand Trades”.

I carefully selected a range of Birmingham’s most recognisable landmarks, focusing on places closely tied to the city’s arts and cultural identity, from the Iron Man sculpture, representing Birmingham’s industrial heritage, to Black Sabbath Bridge, which has become an iconic symbol of the city’s music scene. After sketching out an initial composition, I began painting miniature versions of each landmark in gouache. In total, I created around 14 individual paintings, which I then scanned in, arranged digitally, and refined further in Procreate by adding extra details and developing the final composition.

At the centre sits the bull, Birmingham’s most recognisable symbol and something that unites the city. Layered within are collaged natural elements inspired by Birmingham’s parks and green spaces, helping to connect the urban landscape with themes of wellbeing and community.

Recording of the process

The colour palette was also chosen intentionally. The iconic purple references Bournville and Cadbury’s heritage within the city, while the yellows and greens woven throughout the bull reflect Birmingham’s diversity, energy, and vibrancy.

One of the things I like most about the final piece is the idea that local people can look closely and recognise different landmarks and locations within the artwork, creating a stronger sense of connection to the city itself.

The festival will take place from the 22nd to the 26th June 2026. Find out more and see how you can get involved here.