These questions and more will be answered at the Bearwood Art with History exhibition this weekend.

Bearwood resident Josh Whitehouse (Jowybean) has been working with local historian and chairperson of the Smethwick Local History Society, Mary Bodfish to bring to life the history and culture of Bearwood in an utterly fresh and unique way.

Josh is is a 24 year old freelance illustrator, character designer, storyboard and comic artist living in Birmingham. His work merges keen interest in international architecture with an encyclopedic knowledge of illustration: from children’s cartoons to Japanese anime and everything in between. These different influences, combined with a fluency in a range of styles of illustration means that a Jowybean piece, more often than not, is not just a scene to admire but a whole new world to enter.

To launch this exhibition, from 3-5pm on Saturday 3rd October, Mary will be using Josh’s pictures to talk through some fascinating elements of Bearwood’s rich history and then leading a history walk, starting at the Ooops gallery, to visit some of the areas depicted in these images.

It is very unusual for such a passion for local history and culture to combine with such an individual artistic talent, so make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to experience Jowybean’s Bearwood. The exhibition will be open all week upstairs in Bearwood’s newest artisan gallery and gift shop, Ooops (except Sunday and Wednesday). All the prints will be for sale as will a series of postcards and small canvases, also featuring art focusing on Bearwood.

For more information about the exhibition or artist, try any of the following:

email: jonny@creativeartsnetwork.co.uk

twitter: @BearwoodAWH

facebook event: Bearwood Art With History