Bruntwood commissions artist for Cornerblock building

A new office development in Birmingham city centre is to showcase the work and talent of award-winning artist, Joanne Masding.

Birmingham-based Joanne has been commissioned by leading property company Bruntwood to create work for its Cornerblock reception area.

The installation will feature two panels of lightweight, digitally-printed fabric attached to the wall and overlapping. Responding to movements in the air and with their changing digital images, the panels will possess a film-like quality and create a sense of flowing through the building.

Using video and sculpture, Joanne makes art to investigate the worth, ownership and production of physical objects, and how these values translate to a world that is increasingly digital, immaterial and reproducible.

Joanne said: “This is my first permanent commission, which is a really exciting prospect. With the support and investment from Bruntwood, it will allow me to make this a more ambitious work and promote a new aspect of my practice that would open up new opportunities in future.”

Rob Valentine, Director of Bruntwood Birmingham, said: “Bruntwood’s long-term commitment to and support of the arts meant we wanted to provide a welcoming reception space where work from Birmingham based artists could be explored.

“In all of the city regions in which we operate, we work to put original artwork into our buildings and have long standing relationships with regional educational establishments to provide students with space to display their work, as well as working with well-known established artists.”

Joanne was chosen to create the piece after Birmingham-based gallery Grand Union prepared a list of suitable artists with links to the city. Her clear understanding of the task in her proposal gained universal approval from those involved in the selection process.

The 110,000 sq ft, Grade A workspace practically completed in July and has been designed to meet the needs of a range of occupiers by providing bike facilities, showers, a free on-site gym and parking.

The top floor is home to Birmingham's largest private roof terrace, offering wifi connectivity, seating areas for working or relaxing and views across the city centre.

Joanne’s artwork installation is set to be unveiled in January 2018.