Birmingham’s district of Digbeth is full of contradiction. From the old manufacturers of the city to the creative spaces that have popped up wherever a landlord will allow. On the somewhat dark and dingy Floodgate Street a small sign above the corrugated roller doors tells us we’ve reached the destination for the evenings event.

The whiff of oil in the air hints at its working past but the new activity inside tells of a distinctly creative transition. The audience is greeted by a large wooden structure inside an old industrial unit now named Boxxed. Cautiously entering the structure is a group of girls whose eye-wear is from a throwback retro trend – the 3D glasses.

This is our tool for the evening and one that will enable us to view Walsall artist Chu’s interpretation of Wood as part of the Tiger Beer Lucky 8.

The cube has 8 corners and by standing in the ‘Sweet Spot’ directly under the light and in the centre of the space the corners vanish from sight. It’s the accumulation of a unique painting technique that Chu has been working with for some years. The 3 dimensional wooden cube is filled with his unique 3D art that only comes alive when the glasses are on.

While the building begins to fill with curious punters the light varies around the room as the entrance to the cube is opened and closed. People are taking their time inside to adjust their eyes to what jumps out before them. It isn’t always clear what the image is as your eyes move from above to side to floor but the reward comes when a pipe jumps out at you or a camera lens pushes forward. The industrial-ness of the art fits the space perfectly and must clearly have been an inspiration for Chu.

The artist is enjoying being back near his native homeland and is continuously greeted by old friends who have come out see his new creation. So keen to get his work done for the launch he tells us that he even slept in the cube one night on a camper bed. A brave move if February’s cold temperatures are anything to go by but for the man who has spent the last 30 years honing is craft should we be surprised?

To celebrate the year of the Tiger in the Chinese New Year, Tiger Beer have collaborated with artists around the UK to create art that explores the elements that compose the Chinese zodiac which include earth, wood, metal, fire and water. The artists will be pushed to the limits of their creativity, using a multitude of techniques such as engraving, interactive arts and installations to represent their given element. The daring Josef Valentino, who took the assignment on the premise that only artists who pushed the boundaries of art and imagination be involved, will curate all of the UK shows.

In accordance with this ethos, Walsall artist Chu has been chosen as the Birmingham representative and has been entrusted with the task of representing Wood. Having grown up in Walsall, Chu built himself a formidable reputation in the graffiti world during the 80’s and has since gone on to work with the staggeringly talented Banksy and Jamie Hewlett (Gorrilaz). Now a resident of London where he is a studio artist, he returns to his hometown to push Birmingham’s artistic threshold once more, challenging his townsfolk’s perceptions of what art can be. His creation, a bespoke 3 dimensional wooden cube filled with 3-d art, is as much a scientific triumph as an artistic one and will examine in one piece a section of Chinese history and the future of art.

See Chu’s work on from February 15 to 19 at Boxxed, 104-108 Floodgate Street, Digbeth, Birmingham.

Check the website for events taking place across the UK.

We’ll be at the launch to see what Chu is up to so check back for an update.

Words: Lee Hall

The forefathers of UK graffiti as well as the new generation of street artists though working within the public sector of wall space are still featured in contemporary galleries across the globe and now will be at the The Wild Building from 22nd-31st May.

Featuring a miscellany group of styles, mediums and installation pieces some under £75, Line Steppers is catering to all tastes and wallets whilst showing off the talent of something that has pushed itself into being considered a true art form rather than just a way to step out of line.

Artists confirmed for Line Steppers include Alex One, Best Ever Crew, Chu, Zoot, Dora (pictured above) and Sweet Toot. Admission is free, every day open from 11am-6.30pm.

For further information visit www.jibberingart.co.uk .

Words: Alexandra Rochester