OZZY Osbourne, the Peaky Blinders and Hannah Hampton are among the faces that will see departing passengers at Birmingham Airport through after a new icons wall was unveiled.
The new art installation located after security showcases talent from across the West Midlands.
UB40, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jasper Carrott, Steven Knight, Glynn Purnel and Ellie Symonds also feature on the all.
The icons were chosen based on their West Midlands birthplace but also to celebrate their legacy and plays homage to sports, arts and culture heritage and talent.
Qian Zephaniah, attending the unveiling on behalf of the late Benjamin Zephaniah said: “Benjamin called Birmingham ‘the centre of the universe’. Now the People’s Poet—the one who called this city the ‘Jamaican Capital of Europe’—takes his place on the Icons Wall at Birmingham Airport. That’s full circle. That’s coming home.
“This mural now stands at the gateway. Greeting the world. Welcoming them to the city he loved. Benjamin knew: ‘People will always need people.’ Surrounded by the curry mile, by the art, by the heartbeat of this city, his presence reminds us: ‘All ingredients are equally important.’ This ain’t just a tribute. This is Benjamin returning to the gateway of the world—making sure that every traveller who passes through walks into a piece of hope.”
The Icons Wall project has been fully endorsed by all those represented on it.
Al Titterington, terminal operations director of Birmingham Airport said: “When planning the Icons Wall, we wanted to give a sense of place but also a local feel that our passengers can resonate with.
“This specially selected group of icons represent the diverse sport, arts and culture heritage across the region.
“Ozzy Osbourne is one of the first to be seen as part of the artwork, followed by the remaining icons, interspersed by familiar sights of the Birmingham skyline including the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Library of Birmingham.”
The Icons Wall has formed part of the redevelopment of the airport that will cater for its future growth.
