ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Attilio Fiumarella's best photograph: 118 Brummies in swimsuits at Moseley Road Baths

other · 2026-07-29

Photographer Attilio Fiumarella selected his image of 118 swimmers at Birmingham's Moseley Road Baths, taken on 20 July 2014, as his best photograph. The shot was part of his first professional project after moving to the city in 2013. He was drawn to the building's three distinct entrances—originally for first class, second class, and women—and decided to explore it. The Edwardian-era community pool faced closure due to lack of restoration funding. Fiumarella had the swimmers stand for an hour waiting for sunlight, drawing inspiration from the Terracotta Army. The gala pool, where the photo was taken, was already empty at the time.

Key facts

  • Attilio Fiumarella took the photo on 20 July 2014 in Birmingham
  • The image features 118 swimmers at Moseley Road Baths
  • The building is an Edwardian-era community pool with three original entrances
  • Fiumarella moved to Birmingham in 2013 and passed the baths daily
  • The gala pool was empty in 2014; the second pool still operated
  • The baths faced closure due to lack of restoration funding
  • Fiumarella compared the scene to the Terracotta Army
  • The swimmers stood for an hour waiting for sunlight

Entities

Artists

  • Attilio Fiumarella

Institutions

  • Moseley Road Baths

Locations

  • Birmingham
  • United Kingdom

Sources