The work, activism and far-reaching influence of Birmingham photographer Rhonda Wilson are brought back into the spotlight through an exhibition titled Seeing Rhonda and the launch of a community archive led by Birmingham City University and The Old Print Works.

Together, the exhibition and archive span over three decades of Wilson’s work, from the 1980s to the 2010s. Photographs, letters, posters and publications sit alongside personal notes, sketches and overlooked ephemera, revealing not just what Wilson created, but how she worked, collaborated and built opportunities for others.

Seeing Rhonda presents Wilson as more than a photographer; as a cultural entrepreneur, journalist, educator and activist, she spent over 30 years championing others and reshaping the photography landscape in Birmingham and beyond. Wilson’s constructed social documentary style of photography was underpinned by her commitment to addressing issues of women’s representation, low pay and homelessness. The archive and exhibition bring into focus the contributions of women too often absent from formal collections, reframing Birmingham’s cultural history through their work.

Housed at The Old Print Works, the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive is an evolving project that returns Wilson’s legacy to Balsall Heath, where she lived and established Poseurs Studio in the late 1980s. The archive is under the guardianship of The Old Print Works. This exhibition is supported by Birmingham City University and The Old Print Works.

Please note: This exhibition is located in the Upper Gallery and is only accessible via a number of stairs.

How to Get There:

The Old Print Works is based at 498-506 Moseley Road in Balsall Heath, B12 9AH, not far from Birmingham city centre, Moseley and Kings Heath.
By Bus: The number 50 bus (24-hour route) stops very close by. This service is very frequent and the best way to access The Old Print Works from the city centre. By Bike: There is cycle parking for over 40 bikes—both in the front of the building (where there is also a pump) and in the courtyard. By Car: There is no general parking on site, only space for disabled parking.

Photo Credit: The Old Print Works

Organised by: The Old Print Works