AN international art exhibition is set to launch next week in memory of a ‘legend’ of the Worcester music scene.
AMPjam Presents: We’ve Been Framed will open in Birmingham on Friday, October 2, and will honour the memory of Connor Maher, who died in a tragic accident last year at the age of 36.
Mr Maher, described as a “legend” of the Worcester music scene, was a close friend of AMPjam founder Gareth Griffiths.
Mr Griffiths said: “The response from the movie poster and pop-culture art community has been incredible.
“We have more than 60 artists taking part from across the UK, Europe, the United States, Colombia, the Philippines and Australia.
“To have this level of support from artists around the world for a local Birmingham charity is quite overwhelming.”
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The exhibition will feature more than 60 pieces of original artwork inspired by iconic films and will be displayed in a range of unusual and evocative frames.
Each piece will be auctioned online, with all profits going to Edward’s Trust, a bereavement charity based in Edgbaston.
Edward’s Trust provides holistic support for bereaved parents, children and young people across the West Midlands.
Mr Griffiths said: “The launch isn’t just for established movie-art fans and collectors.
“I’d really encourage film, art and illustration students, young creatives and anyone who has ever wondered how these incredible posters and illustrations are made to come along.
“It’s a rare chance to see original work from more than 60 artists in one place, meet people working at the highest level of the industry and hear from some of the most successful pop-culture artists working today.
“And it’s completely free.”
Artists taking part include names who have worked with Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Foo Fighters, and Jack White.
The exhibition will run for four weeks at Jointworks in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, and will be open to the public from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Entry to the launch event is free, with donations to Edward’s Trust welcomed.
AMPjam was founded by Mr Griffiths as an online poster convention in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The first event was livestreamed from his employer’s offices in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, close to the venue for this year’s exhibition.
Edward’s Trust recently launched its Without Us appeal to help close a funding gap and protect its face-to-face counselling services.
