Weekly Events and Exhibitions: 17 - 23 June
This week Blast! Festival of Photography, Talks and Walks goes to Smethwick, with artist talks, exhibition launches, community events and sound walks to take part in!
Exhibitions to visit while you’re there are: The Exiles by Billy Dosanjh and Black Country Sikhs at Smethwick Heritage Centre, Mitti Di Kushboo - The Smell of the Land by Jaskirt Boora at Lightwoods House and Homemade in Smethwick by Liz Hingley outside Thimblemill Library.
For a full list of artists exhibiting work throughout the Festival, you can download the brochure or visit the artist pages.
TUESDAY 18 JUNE
Artist Talk: Billy Dosanjh
Billy Dosanjh talks about his photographic series The Exiles and screens previously unseen Super 8 footage of the Punjab and Sandwell, chronicling one family's journey.
Time: 6PM
Location: The Red Cow Pub, Smethwick, B66 3NL
Free event / No booking required
THURSDAY 20 JUNE
Panel Discussion: Five Decades of Self Portrait
Jaskirt Boora, Brian Homer and Niall McDiarmid talk about their approach to photographic portraiture chaired by Dr Euripides Altintzoglou.
Time: 1PM - 3PM
Location: Wednesbury Museum & Art Gallery, Wednesbury, WS10 7DF
Free event / Book here
Community Event: Mothership
In association with Liz Hingley’s Home Made in Smethwick exhibition, Multistory and Mothership invite you to join the MARKit group to hear about their creative textile skills and products. Refreshments provided.
Time: 1PM
Location: Thimblemill Library, Smethwick, B67 5RJ
Free event/ No booking required
FRIDAY 21 JUNE
Artist Talk & Film Screening: Janine Wiedel
A screening of Camera in the Streets, a documentary about Janine Wiedel’s work photographing West Midlands industry, followed by a discussion between Janine Wiedel and curator, Craig Ashley.1PM - 3PM
Location: Former Poundland, West Bromwich, B70 7NN
BOOKING ESSENTIAL / £3PP / Book here.
Launch Event: Mitti Di Kushboo / The Smell of the Land
Join artist Jaskirt Boora and her family to celebrate her exhibition Mitti Di Khushboo – The Smell of the Land, a universal story of migrant communities.
Time: 6PM - 8PM
Location: Lightwoods House, Smethwick, B67 5DP
Free event / No booking required
SATURDAY 22 JUNE
Sound Walk: Cut & Fade
SOUNDkitchen lead a guided version of their sound walk, unveiling stories found within the high density of barbers and hairdressers serving the diverse local community.
Time: 10.30AM & 11AM
Location: Meet at Why Not Café, Smethwick, B66 4BW
Free event / Book here.
Film Screening: Colour Box Family Shorts
Inspired by SOUNDkitchen’s Cut & Fade project Flatpack presents a selection of ‘hairlarious’ animation shorts. Family fun for everyone!
Time: 11AM - 12.30PM
Location: Meet at Why Not Café, Smethwick, B66 4BW
Free event / No booking required
Launch Event: Black Country Sikhs & The Exiles
Come and join us for the launch of the Black Country Sikhs book and Billy Dosanjh's The Exiles with music by Balbir Bhujhangy.
Location: Smethwick Heritage Centre, Smethwick, B66 3NJ
Time: 1PM
Free event / No booking required
Highlights from other towns include: Girl Gaze: Journeys Through the Punjab and the Black Country, UK; Polska Britannica // Stories of Home by Czesław Siegieda and Jon Tonks; Tipton Carnival Queens Shine Again by Erik Kessels; The Caravan Gallery; Five Decades of Self Portrait; Faye Claridge's Parody Pies.
If you’re making a weekend of it and are not local, our recommendations about where to eat and drink can be found here and the Premier Inn on the High Street in West Bromwich is the closest accommodation to the festival activities.