Birmingham finally honors pop art pioneer Peter Phillips with outdoor exhibition

Peter Phillips, a prominent figure in the global pop art scene who passed away in June 2025, is being honored in his native Birmingham with an outdoor exhibition named Pop Goes Brum!. This free event, curated by art historian Ruth Millington, takes place in Snow Hill Square from June 9 to June 30 and is organized in collaboration with Birmingham School of Art, with funding from Colmore BID. Born in Bournville in 1939, Phillips studied at Moseley School of Art and Birmingham School of Art, later teaching at both institutions and Coventry College of Art. He studied at the Royal College of Art in London alongside notable artists like David Hockney and exhibited with Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein in New York. His art often incorporated Birmingham's industrial elements, especially car parts, infused with a unique Brummie humor. Queen Elizabeth II was seen at one of his exhibitions in the 1960s. Phillips was featured in Ken Russell's 1962 film Pop Goes the Easel and created idents for BBC Four Goes Pop. His artwork has graced album covers for The Strokes and The Cars. The exhibition also showcases contemporary pieces by local art students. In his honor, his family founded The Peter Phillips Foundation to aid emerging artists.