Grand Union and Bruntwood are working in partnership to offer the opportunity for Artists to be in residence in Bruntwood’s Cornwall Buildings in Birmingham city centre.
The programme provides a free and specially designed studio space for artists who would be interested in working in residence within the frame and environment of another organisation.
As Birmingham approaches an unprecedented surge in growth, it is vital that the city’s arts and culture scene continues to be supported, as well as developing the city’s home-grown talent. Bruntwood is a leading property developer across the North of England and Birmingham. As a group, Bruntwood has a long-term commitment to creating thriving cities, and recognises that both arts and culture are key components to a city’s quality of life, as well as being powerful economic drivers.
Grand Union is committed to providing access to spaces for supporting and advocating for artistic practice in Birmingham and wider social contexts. This artist residency and studio space initiative, in partnership with Bruntwood, sits alongside Grand Union’s existing provision of 12 artists’ studios and Modern Clay, a ceramics facility offering open access to artists and community groups in the region.
A call-out for the residency goes out every 12-18 months. Our next call-out will be in Summer 2026.
Image courtesy of Amaan Jahangir, 2025.
Current Bruntwood Studio Artists:
Natasha TaheemOpen accordion
The work Natasha makes explores the layered experience of existing as a British Punjabi Lesbian through subverting traditional craft processes and using them to tell contemporary narratives. Natasha comes from a family of tailors that used their hands to make a living, this connection to material is something that she carries into her art making through drawing, ceramics, and printmaking.
To Natasha, drawing is an act of personal meditation, a space to manifest queer utopias, work through her thoughts and find an entry point to have conversations about complex experiences. Her ceramic work – ornate goblets, bowls and incense holders – explore themes of ritual and self-honouring.
Natasha’s practice is a celebration of brown queer joy, a reflection on belonging, and an ongoing dialogue between where she comes from and who she is.
You can find out more about Natasha Taheem by clicking here.
Courtenay WelcomeOpen accordion
You can find out more about Courtenay Welcome by clicking here.
Former Bruntwood Studio Artists:
2024-2025Open accordion
Bunny Bissoux is an artist and illustrator working in a variety of evolving forms and mediums. Drawing, collecting, self-documentation, zine-making, storytelling and photography are integral parts of their creative practice.
Focusing on recurring themes including popular culture, gender, desire, queer identity, consumerism, nostalgia, and obsession. Bunny’s most recent work explores grief and displacement through imagined narratives, personal archives, and cultural research.
Whilst living in Tokyo for over a decade, Bunny has produced numerous publications and exhibited across Japan and South Korea. Returning to Birmingham in 2022, they are best known locally for their visual contributions to the Home of Metal project.
Amaan Jahangir is a UK-based artist specializing in contemporary painting and drawing. His artistic focus delves into the intricate facets of the human condition and the narratives that shape our culture and ideologies. Through his work, he employs vibrant and deliberate colour choices, serving as a visual conduit for everlasting emotions, memorable encounters, and profound moments.
Amaan’s creations exhibit an unpredictable nature, intentionally mirroring the raw and immediate essence of passion and intimacy. He aims to encapsulate the idea of structured chaos, mirroring the complexities of life and our intimate experiences. Within this artistic endeavour, Amaan attempts to capture the elusive and vivid language that often remains unspoken, bridging the gap between thoughts and words.