Ort Gallery

Ort Gallery Artist-led gallery space in Balsall Heath Birmingham facilitating dialogue in the community & exhibiting ambitious projects

Ort Gallery is an artist-led exhibition space in Balsall Heath, Birmingham with the social mission to facilitate dialogue in the community. Through our work we explore what role an international programme of contemporary art can play in community strengthening. We exhibit ambitious and daring new art work in an old factory space and ensure every exhibition has a strong impact on the local area and

it’s residents. We work with socially engaged internationally acclaimed artists (previously Ellie Harrison, Leah Gordon, Juneau Projects, Paul O’Kane and Pil and Galia Kollectiv amongst others) in order to ensure that the art-work is not just shown but lived through our audiences. This is done in a variety of ways such as workshops, poetry events, walks, talks and by the audiences becoming part of the projects. We are an approachable venue, inviting new audiences to the space and celebrating the diversity of Balsall Heath and Birmingham. Ort Gallery’s curatorial programming is concerned with bringing world-class art to an area lacking cultural activity and engaging the audiences in an organic and meaningful way. Balsall Heath is considered a deprived neighbourhood, and our aim is to raise the profile of the area through cultural events as well as promoting community cohesion and quality of life. Our engagement programme grew organically out of events we hosted for the community. The artists we work with are dedicated to social change and deal with issues found in Balsall Heath within their practices. We aim for the artists we work with to represent the diversity of people in our immediate area. We believe quality is achieved in many different ways, one of which is to give up and coming artists a platform to exhibit their work and to kick start their career. Ort Gallery pays all the artists we work with a fair wage based on a-n guidelines. Artists are welcome to submit proposals for future projects. For more information please e-mail: info (a) ortgallery.co.uk with a short introduction.

‘And They Made Themselves A Land of Belief’ | Crip Resistance IIJoin us for a generative writing workshop with acclaimed...
13/09/2026

‘And They Made Themselves A Land of Belief’ | Crip Resistance II

Join us for a generative writing workshop with acclaimed writer and artist Khairani Barokka. This 90-minute workshop reshapes disbelief placed on the unwell body through re-imagining art and writing possibilities and landscapes of belief.

When: Tuesday 29th September, 1.30 - 3 pm ⏳

Where: Online via Zoom 👾

Access ♿️

This event will include comfort breaks throughout its duration as well as live BSL interpretation upon request☝🏽 This programme will be running on Crip Time 💫 As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead up to and/or on the day of the event itself 💜

Tickets 🎟️

Register via Eventbrite (see link in bio) 🔗

✨ About the facilitator ✨

Khairani Barokka is a writer and artist from Jakarta, based in London. Okka’s work has been presented widely internationally, and centres disability justice as anticolonial praxis and environmental justice, and access as translation.

✨ About Crip Resistance II✨

An online programme of events exploring disabled, sick, mad, and crip modes of resistance and remote community care ❤️‍🩹 produced by resting up ♿🌈 in collaboration with Ort Gallery 🖼️ The programme’s print publication, documenting and expanding on its themes, will also launch this year 📒 20% of the event and publication proceeds will support Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) ✊🏽

Join Khadija Carberry Khadijah Carberry of Generous Waste Generous Waste for this sustainable printing workshop 🖨️When: ...
12/09/2026

Join Khadija Carberry Khadijah Carberry of Generous Waste Generous Waste for this sustainable printing workshop 🖨️

When: Saturday 19 September, 2.30 – 4 pm ⏳
 
Where:📍The Edge, Cheapside, Deritend, B12 0QH

In this hands-on workshop, we will use discarded Tetra Pak as printing plates and a pasta maker as a printing press to create small worlds on handmade paper made from waste 🌍

This workshop is open to children and adults of all abilities. All children must be accompanied by a parent / guardian 🧑‍🧒‍🧒No previous printmaking experience is needed ✨

🎟 Register via link in bio. Pay As You Feel tickets available 💫

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access and a working lift onsite. The workshop will be taking place in the Red Studio, located on the first floor.

Prayer mats will be available for those who wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

This programme will be running on Crip Time. As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead-up to and / or on the day of the event itself.

Further info, including deets on how to get to the venue, can be found via link in bio 🔗

✨About the exhibition ✨

Rooted through Realms is a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign . The exhibition calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities, as inspired by the gardens of paradise.

✨ About the facilitator ✨

Khadijah Carberry is an artist, filmmaker and researcher whose practice explores materials, place, ecology and the stories embedded in everyday things. She is the founder of Generous Waste, a creative practice that reimagines waste as a material for making, learning and collective experimentation. Through workshops, film, sound and hands-on processes, her work invites us to see ourselves as materially, politically and spiritually embedded and entangled within creation, exploring the relationships between what we make, what we discard, and

It has been 1 week since the launch of Rooted Through Realms 🌱- a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist...
11/09/2026

It has been 1 week since the launch of Rooted Through Realms 🌱- a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign curated by Aaisha Akhtar 💫

Swipe for highlights from the exhibition opening of Rooted Through Realms ✨

Opening Times: Tuesday - Saturdays 12 - 5 pm until 29th September ⏳

Where: The Edge, 79 - 81 Cheapside, B12 0QH 👾
 
✨ About the exhibition ✨

Rooted Through Realms 🌱 calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities as inspired by the gardens of paradise✨

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access, baby-changing facilities and a working lift onsite. The exhibition is held in the Red Studio, located on the first floor.

Prayer area is available for those who wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

This programme will be running on Crip Time. As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead-up to and / or on the day of the event itself.

Further info, including deets on how to get to the venue, can be found via link in bio 🔗
 
Associated Events 🖌️ 🎨

See link in Ort Gallery Ort Gallery bio for deets re our public programme (upcoming events and workshops associated with RTR)🔗

📸 Sanna || ثناء 🌿

Ort Gallery Members Exhibition 2026 🖼️Every year we exhibit artwork by our Member Artists celebrating their creative jou...
10/09/2026

Ort Gallery Members Exhibition 2026 🖼️

Every year we exhibit artwork by our Member Artists celebrating their creative journeys 🧑‍🎨

This year we will be exhibiting the show at Stryx JQ from the 26th September to the 17th October 2026 Stryx Gallery Play Gallery Cafe (Stryx)

Opening Times: Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm

Join us on Saturday 26th September 2-4pm for the Opening Event - all welcome! 🎉

For access information, more info about our Artist Membership or any other queries please visit our website or get in touch via a message 👋

Join artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign for this creative workshop, where you will use watercolour to dream up th...
08/09/2026

Join artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign for this creative workshop, where you will use watercolour to dream up the real & otherworldly ✨

When: Saturday 12 September, 2.30 – 4 pm ⏳
 
Where:📍The Edge, Cheapside, Deritend, B12 0QH

Create fantastical dreamscapes that explore and are inspired by new visions, possibilities, and ideals for our world. Together, we’ll also discuss how we might collectively get there, all using watercolour paints and paper 🎨🖌️
 
Open to all ages 10 and up. All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian 🧑‍🧒‍🧒

No previous experience necessary ✨

🎟 Register via link in bio

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access, baby-changing facilities and a working lift onsite. This workshop will take place in the Red Studio, located on the first floor.

Prayer mats will be available for those who wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

This programme will be running on Crip Time. As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead-up to and / or on the day of the event itself.

Further info, including deets on how to get to the venue, can be found via link in bio 🔗

✨ About the show ✨

Rooted through Realms is a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani. The exhibition calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities, as inspired by the gardens of paradise.

✨ About the facilitator ✨

Shaheen Kasmani is an artist, creative producer, curator and educator. With a MA in Visual Traditional & Islamic Arts, her interests lie in narratives around coloniality and heritage, art, architecture and patterns. Shaheen was the lead curator for the Ramadan Pavilion at the V&A Museum, and co-curated The Past is Now exhibition at Birmingham Museum. She has exhibited her work in the UK and Europe, and guest lectures at universities in the US.

Join us for a tour of Rooted Through Realms led by curators Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign + Aaisha Akhtar  followed by an i...
07/09/2026

Join us for a tour of Rooted Through Realms led by curators Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign + Aaisha Akhtar followed by an informal in-conversation with Hudda Khaireh Hudda Khaireh

When: 1 – 2 pm ⏳
 
Where:📍The Edge, Cheapside, Deritend, B12 0QH

During the tour, Shaheen and Aaisha will share their curatorial approach to the Rooted Through Realms, which has been informed by the practice of Warmth and deep dialogue over the last three years. Together, they have explored themes of divine justice, mercy, and life-affirming ways of seeing in relation to this earthly plane.

The tour will be followed by an in-conversation element led by Hudda Khaireh, drawing on the speculative and unseen aspects of the show.

🎟️ Register via link in bio. This is a free event, however registration is required.

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access and a working lift onsite. The workshop will be taking place in the Grey Studio, located on the ground floor.

Prayer area is available for those who wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

This programme will be running on Crip Time. As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead-up to and / or on the day of the event itself.

Further info, including deets on how to get to the venue, can be found via link in bio 🔗

✨About the exhibition ✨

Rooted through Realms is a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani. The exhibition calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities, as inspired by the gardens of paradise.

Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign is an artist, creative producer, curator and educator. With a MA in Visual Traditional & Islamic Arts, her interests lie in narratives around coloniality and heritage, art, architecture and patterns. Shaheen was the lead curator for the Ramadan Pavilion at the V&A Museum, and co-curated The Past is Now exhibition at Birmingham Museum. She has exhibit

We are so excited to be announcing the full programme for the Rooted Through Realms exhibition 💫✨ About the exhibition ✨...
05/09/2026

We are so excited to be announcing the full programme for the Rooted Through Realms exhibition 💫

✨ About the exhibition ✨

Rooted Through Realms 🌱 calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities as inspired by the gardens of paradise✨

This exhibition was conceived by Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign and co-curated by Aaisha Akhtar ✨

In developing this exhibition together, Shaheen and Aaisha have been in conversation since 2023. In 2024, Shaheen undertook a residency with Ort Gallery to focus on her artistic research and development, allowing her to create this new body of work. Together, they explored themes of divine justice, mercy, and life-affirming ways of seeing in relation to this earthly plane 💖

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access, baby-changing facilities and a working lift. The exhibition is held in the Red Studio which is up one flight of stairs and some public programme events will take place in the Grey Studio which is located on the ground floor.

Prayer area available for those that wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

Further info including deets on how to get to the venue can be found via link in bio 🔗

We’re back with another Falasteen on Film collaboration 🎬 this time presenting a selection of short films which explore ...
29/08/2026

We’re back with another Falasteen on Film collaboration 🎬 this time presenting a selection of short films which explore the complexities of our relationship to the land and environment 🌏 This shorts marathon is part of the wider programme of events for the Rooted Through Realms exhibition by SKbyDesign ✨
 
When: 6 – 9 pm ⏳
 
Where:📍The Edge, Cheapside, Deritend, B12 0QH
 
While we all need and desire access to homes, gardens, good food, clean air, and proximity to water, we’ve inherited and are constantly being consumed into systems that are extractive and exploitative, resulting in a severance from the land, which has emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual consequences. If everything is cosmologically connected, then this is also a reflection of the Oneness/oneness that we are being disconnected from. But where there is rupture, there can also be repair 💖

Films :
 
- The Park (Dancing on the Rubble of Empire) (Arwa Abuwara and Turab Shah, 2025 34’)
 
- ⁠The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing (Theo Paganopoulos, 2024, 17’)
 
- ⁠Don’t Be Long, Little bird (Reem Jubran, 2025, 24’)
 
- An Orphanage of Memories (Rayit Hashmat Qazi  2025, 21’ )
 
- Mawtini (Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller, 2024, 19’)
 
- Where the Wind Blows (Hana Elias, 2024, 16’ )
 
- ⁠99 Names: My liberation is tied to yours (Marwa Eltahir, 2026, 11’)
 
The artwork featured in the event poster is a still from Theo Paganopoulos’ The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing 🖼️
 
🎟 Tickets include a warm meal (plant based/ gluten free options available) and are available via link in bio 🔗

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access and a working lift onsite. The workshop will be taking place in the Grey Studio, located on the ground floor.

Prayer mats will be available for those who wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

This programme will be running on Crip Time. As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead-up to and / or on the day of the event itself ❤️‍🩹

Further info, including deets on how to get to the venue, can be found via link in bio 🔗

We look forward to welcoming you once more 🧡

Full Bloom 🌻 | Krankpod Workshop To mark the launch of Rooted Through Realms, we warmly invite you to join us for this 3...
28/08/2026

Full Bloom 🌻 | Krankpod Workshop

To mark the launch of Rooted Through Realms, we warmly invite you to join us for this 3D floral tile making workshop facilitated by Sam Krankpod Samantha Krankpod 🎨🖌️

Mess rating: 2/5

Workshop style: Free-flow. This workshop is open to children and adults of all abilities. All children must be accompanied by a parent / guardian 🧑‍🧒‍🧒

Tickets 🎟️

Free, registration required - see link in bio 🔗

There will be 2 x 1 hour time-slots available; please ensure you select the correct time slot and number of tickets.

Cancellation Policy ❌

If you can no longer attend the workshop, we’d like to kindly request that you provide us with at least 24-hour notice, as there will be a waiting list.

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access and a working lift onsite. The workshop will be taking place in the Grey Studio, located on the ground floor.

Prayer mats will be available for those who wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

This programme will be running on Crip Time. As a result, we endeavour to reschedule events should any of our contributors not feel well / experience a change in capacity in the lead-up to and / or on the day of the event itself.

Further info, including deets on how to get to the venue, can be found via link in bio 🔗

✨About the exhibition ✨

Rooted through Realms is a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign The exhibition calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities, as inspired by the gardens of paradise.

✨Rooted Through Realms Exhibition Launch ✨We warmly welcome you to the opening of Rooted Through Realms, a solo exhibiti...
28/08/2026

✨Rooted Through Realms Exhibition Launch ✨

We warmly welcome you to the opening of Rooted Through Realms, a solo exhibition by artist-curator Shaheen Kasmani SKbyDesign featuring a new body of work that explores land justice, inspired by the gardens of paradise 💫

This Digbeth First Friday launch event will include a DJ Set by fatumakhaireh 🎶 as well as mendhi by 💃🏾
 
When: Friday 4th September, 18:00 - 20:00 ⏳
 
Where: The Edge, 79 - 81 Cheapside, B12 0QH 👾
 
✨ About the exhibition ✨

Rooted Through Realms 🌱 calls upon us to bear witness and connect the dots between ongoing settler colonialism, climate change, and local and global injustices, whilst also encouraging us to employ our senses and otherworldly faculties to collectively imagine new possibilities as inspired by the gardens of paradise✨

This exhibition was conceived by Shaheen Kasmani and co-curated by Aaisha Akhtar. In developing this exhibition together, Shaheen and Aaisha have been in conversation since 2023. In 2024, Shaheen undertook a residency with Ort Gallery to focus on her artistic research and development, allowing her to create this new body of work. Together, they explored themes of divine justice, mercy, and life-affirming ways of seeing in relation to this earthly plane 💖

Rooted Through Realms was made possible with support from Arts Council England. Shaheen’s residency and Ort Gallery’s professional development work in the lead up to the exhibition were generously supported by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Keep an eye out for the public programme 👀

Access ♿️

The venue has step-free access and a working lift onsite. The exhibition will be held in the Red Studio which is up one flight of stairs and there will also be activity (refreshments, music, mendhi) taking place in the Grey Studio which is located on the ground floor ✨

Prayer mats will be available for those that wish to pray onsite 🤲🏾📿

Further info including deets on how to get to the venue can be found via link in bio 🔗

Address

496 Moseley Road
Birmingham
B129AH

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+447938428394

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