FACES OF 2022 was a celebratory project that highlighted pride, place, identity, and heritage in Perry Barr, the district in Birmingham that hosted the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.  

The exhibition that included  31 portraits, created by acclaimed Birmingham-based artist and photographer, Maryam Wahid, was installed on a large scale outdoor photography system at the new Perry Barr Train Station and featured on banners throughout the district.  The artist worked closely with the people of Perry Barr and North Birmingham to capture their portraits as part of this project, photographing those who made extraordinary contributions to culture, community, and education.

The exhibition offered a unique opportunity to view these new portraits in the public realm, situated in the heart of the community where they were created. Perry Barr holds a special place in the city, and the portraits captured the energy, identity, and spirit of the local people while acknowledging their achievements.

As well as the remarkable portraits by Maryam Wahid, GRAIN also commissioned a series of workshops with different communities in the area. These were led by  Jaskirt Boora, Ayesha Jones, Nilupa Yasmin, and Stephen Burke.

FACES OF 2022 was a partnership between GRAIN Projects and the Black Arts Forum for Birmingham 2022 and received generous support from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  A Creative City Project supported by Birmingham City Council.   The exhibition at Perry Barr was supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Image Credit: Vidya Patel, by Maryam Wahid