As part of Birmingham’s new Cultural Action Area (CAA). We’re thrilled to share that we’ve been awarded funding by Birmingham City Council to develop a Cultural Action Area (CAA) — an ambitious programme investing in culture to help grow local economies and re-energise high streets and local centres through a rich, diverse cultural and heritage offer.
As part of this work, we are commissioning three artists to create bold, inspiring new work that celebrates diversity and inclusivity — reflecting the richness of our communities and the power of creativity to bring people together.
“To harness the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Handsworth. Cultural Action Area to build community pride, and position the area as a thriving, creative, and economically resilient part of Birmingham.”
Congratulations to our CAA Creative Commission Winners!
A huge congratulations to Sakab, Danni and Marta for winning our BADA Creative commission. These selected artists will be showcasing their artwork during Bangla Month 2025.
Read below to find out more.
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and graduated with a Visual Communication degree right at the start of the 90’s digital revolution. As a freelance artist and graphic designer, I’ve built up over 30 years of experience working with arts organisations, charities, and individual artists, as well as developing my own creative projects. My practice spans print, web, animation, video, installations, exhibitions, and interactive design.
Alongside my design practice I’ve continued to develop my personal artistic portfolio, often drawing inspiration from my British and Pakistani heritage. Much of my early personal work was digital, including ‘Alleph' (which won a BAFTA Interactive Arts Award in 2003), ‘BritPaki' and 'Dark Matters'. In 2014, I transitioned from screen-based work to stone sculpture and was awarded Best in Sculpture at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists in 2016.
Today, my practice sits at the intersection of art, design, and technology. Whether through sculpture, painting, interactive media, or community projects, I’m motivated by the same curiosity that inspired me to start drawing as a child and the desire to create work that is both meaningful and accessible, rooted in heritage but open to all.
With a passion and determination to bring my creative and academic skills together to bridge gaps by highlighting similarities and celebrating cultural differences, I hope to gain from this experience a better understanding of the community in which I live and finding new ways to communicate, educate and elevate people from all walks of life.
I’m Marta - a detail-obsessed designer and photographer with a love for big, complex ideas. I dive headfirst into ambitious projects that need sharp thinking, deep research, and just the right amount of chaos to spark something fresh. Whether it’s crafting layered visual worlds for ad campaigns or pushing boundaries in fine art photography, I bring structure to creativity and creativity to structure. Precision, curiosity, and innovation are my tools - and client satisfaction is always the finish line.
