A striking new temporary sculpture has appeared in Birmingham, directly referencing a famous Banksy work to cast a spotlight on the city's escalating homelessness crisis.
An Artistic Homage with a Social Message
Created by Dion Kitson, a recent graduate from Birmingham City University's School of Art, the piece depicts a figure of Santa Claus lying on a public bench. This design deliberately echoes the solitary figure in Banksy's 2019 'God bless Birmingham' mural. Wrapped in fairy lights, the sculpture aims to make viewers consider the vulnerability and often-invisible plight of those forced to sleep rough, especially during the coldest winter months.
The artwork is a collaborative project between Kitson, the Ikon Gallery, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT), and Birmingham City University. It was installed as a direct response to the original Banksy piece, which organisers say has become obscured behind layers of perspex and condensation, dampening its social commentary.
Amplifying a Call to Action
Linzi Stauvers, Ikon's Artistic Director for Education, explained the thinking behind the intervention. She noted that Birmingham has historically significant public art and graffiti, but their messages can fade over time. "Dion Kitson’s sculptural response is not only a homage to another artist, but an acknowledgement of their call to action," Stauvers said. "As a temporary intervention, it aims to amplify a message about the homelessness that is experienced by many Birmingham residents, including children and young people, this Christmas."
David Mahony of the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust emphasised the importance of public art reflecting community realities. "Homelessness affects many people across the UK, including here in Birmingham," he stated. Using the Banksy site for an annual winter artwork leverages the area's creativity to focus attention on those most in need during colder weather and to direct support to vital organisations.
Supporting a Local Charity
The project has a direct charitable function. During the sculpture's first two days on display, volunteers posing as security staff collected donations from visitors via QR codes. All funds raised go directly to SIFA Fireside, a local charity dedicated to supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. A dedicated online donation link remains active for further contributions.
Andrew Kulman, Professor of Graphic Art at Birmingham City University, highlighted the university's legacy in public art and Kitson's fit for the project. "It was an obvious choice to select Dion to respond to the Banksy mural in the Jewellery Quarter - he shares the same guerrilla approach and there's often parody and satire in both their work," Kulman said.
The installation serves as a poignant reminder of social issues during the festive season, transforming an artistic tribute into a mechanism for tangible community support and conversation.
