From Jamaica Row - Rebirth of The Bullring: Until the 18th March 2009

Kinetic AIU Studio, The Factory, 108 Northwood Street, Birmingham, UK

The Kinetic AIU Studio will be displaying photographs by renowned artist, photographer and film maker Pogus Caesar between 18 September 2008 - 18 March 2009

From Jamaica Row - Rebirth of the Bullring is an exhibition that will showcase 15 Limited Edition photographs taken during the redevelopment of the Birmingham Bullring between June 2000 and September 2003. These powerful images have been selected from over 500 in the OOM Gallery Archive to illustrate the demolition of the past and a premonition of the future for the city.

Jamaica Row is the pedestrian route situated between the Open Market and St Martin's Market. Its name derives from a pub called the Black Boy in reference to King Charles II, who was dark skinned.

The photographs reveal a process of transformation in stark monochrome detail, as the landmark Bullring constructed during the 1960s is razed to make way for the 21st century. Past, present and future are juxtaposed in images that show buildings of previous decades being skeletally ripped open and disembowelled, whilst the shape of the modern city is still being determined. Through Caesar's eyes we see giant mechanical birds greedily peck at the expensive real estate. Bubblewrap swathes the Selfridges building like a sweet wrapper, whilst the camera plays toreador with the lively plaster bull.

A shopping empire declines and in its place a bullish emporium of daring design and mammoth scale claims its shadow and footfall. Birmingham sheds its concrete skin and continues to re-invent itself like no other city in the United Kingdom as it strives to become a European icon of urban success.

The introduction to From Jamaica Row - Rebirth of the Bullring is written by Professor Roger Shannon: Professor of Film & Television, Edgehill University.




Caesar is best known for his 35mm black and white photography and compelling montages which he shoots on old Nikon and Canon Sure Shot cameras purchased in the 80s.

Most of Caesar’s UK photography is based around his home city of Birmingham and includes documenting well known personalities such as Stevie Wonder, Desmond Tutu and Julie Christie as well as important events such as the Handsworth riots and the Birmingham tornado. Internationally, Caesar has visited places as diverse as South Africa, Spain, Albania, America and India to photograph people and events.