Healing Gardens of Bab at Selfridges

Healing Gardens of Bab sits as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival and is hosted by Fierce. It is an artistic response to our colonial history that celebrates what Empire tried (and failed) to stamp out.

Selfridges have partnered with Fierce to host an exhibition and performance space as part of the festival. Customers are invited to join and explore a variety of exhibitions, workshops, DJ's and live performances throughout July as part of the festival at Selfridges Birmingham.

During the festival, we will be hosting workshops in-store over the weekend. Workshops are free to attend and can be booked below.

What's On

Saturday 2 July 14:00 - 15:30 & 16:00 - 17:50

Queer Botanical Drawing

Queer Botany and local illustrator EL Thrush have teamed up to host illustration workshops around plants and art. The session will work with real plant samples exploring the media of ink and pen. ​

Based more in the meditative and expressive quality of drawng rather than a scientific approach, we will warm up with some brief exercises to get familiar with the media, followed by a couple of longer drawing exercises. We will also discuss scientific and cultural correlations between queerness and plants. ​

All skill levels are welcome. All materials will be provided (although you are welome to bring your own) along with plants that you can take home. This will be a space space to play, observe and learn. ​Expect flowery language, gender (and paint) fluidity, and a queered appreciation of the natrual world around us.

Sunday 3 July 13:00 - 14:30 & 15:30 - 17:00

Fermenting Futures with Kirsty Clarke

Fermentation is a vital and contaminating process by which shapeshifting microorganisms transform fresh ingredients into radically new cultured funks of deliciousness. ​Join artist Kirsty Clarke for a short introductory workshop in the art of fermentation amongst the Healing Gardens of Bab at Selfridges. You will create your own pickle while learning fermentation's imperfect, do-it-yourself ethos. Empowering you to experiment with your own fabulous ferments at home. ​

Saturday 9 July 14:00 - 15:30 & 16:00 - 17:30

FLOWERS Make Up Tutorial with Drag Queen Artist Lilith

This makeup workshop, facilitated by acclaimed Birmingham Drag Artist and Makeup whizz Lilith is for all ages and skill levels. Sometimes makeup can be an environment where people can feel intimidated so we want to create a welcoming space for people to play and join in. ​Join Lilith in creating floral looks incorporating real leaves and flowers into our makeup processes. Lilith will also look at a number of application techniques such as colour packing, stamping and blending.

Sunday 10 July 13:00 - 14:30 - 15:30 - 17:00

Tongan Garland Workshop with Sione Monu

Join this very special workshop with Auckland based artist Sione Monu.​Sione’s art practice works with nimamea'a tuikakala; or the Tongan fine art of flower designing using the form of kahoa or Tongan garland. Weaving connections between place, people and the different environments in which he works, Monu’s practice brings aspects of the spiritual and ecological contexts of art-making in Tonga and Tāmaki Makaurau together.​In this workshop we’ll use a collection of flowers, found plant materials and adhesive paper to create our own garlands.​

This workshop is suitable for all skill levels and all materials will be provided.

Saturday 16 July 14:00 - 15:30 & 16:00 - 17:30

VOGUE for beginners hosted by Eric Scutaro and Sym Mendez

Eric Scutaro, is a Venezuelan choreographer, dance performer and Queer activist, based in Birmingham. His choreographies, workshops and performances explore hip-hop, Waacking and the Voguing style as a way to advocate for LGBTIQ+ community. His work has also stood out for doing Queer activism within the hip-hop culture in his country.​

This beginners workshop will teach you the basics of Vogue: spin, dip, pose and more in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Sunday 17 July 13:00 - 14:30 & 15:30 - 17:00

Fermenting Futures with Kirsty Clarke

Fermentation is a vital and contaminating process by which shapeshifting microorganisms transform fresh ingredients into radically new cultured funks of deliciousness. ​Join artist Kirsty Clarke for a short introductory workshop in the art of fermentation amongst the Healing Gardens of Bab at Selfridges. You will create your own pickle while learning fermentation's imperfect, do-it-yourself ethos. Empowering you to experiment with your own fabulous ferments at home. ​

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Selfridges Birmingham, Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham, United Kingdom