A major new photographic exhibition featuring thousands of images of Birmingham residents will open at the iconic Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square next month.

From City Of Empire To City Of Diversity: A Visual Journey,’ has been created from The Dyche Collection, one of the most important photographic collections within Birmingham Archives and acquired by Birmingham Central Library in 1990.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and produced by Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage, the exhibition will be on display for two months from Friday 18 March until Sunday 18 June 2022; and is one of two major photographic exhibitions and an extensive citywide community engagement programme to coincide with the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

The major new photographic exhibition features thousands of archive images of Birmingham residents from Commonwealth countriesDyche Collection / Sampad
The major new photographic exhibition features thousands of archive images of Birmingham residents from Commonwealth countries

The Dyche Collection features photographs by self-taught photographer Ernest Dyche and his son Malcolm, who had two studios in the city and produced individual, group, family and wedding portraits.

In the 1950s, the portrait work shifted its focus to the first wave of migrants arriving in Birmingham from Africa, the Caribbean and Indian sub-continent. For over 25 years, many visitors to his main studio would have portraits made to send back to friends and family in their home countries – inadvertently capturing the story of Commonwealth migration and recording an important phase in Birmingham’s history.

Over the last 14 months archivists have searched through over 10,000 photographs stored in boxes to produce this important exhibition which will document post-1945 migration and the huge contribution made by those who settled in the city from the Commonwealth.

The Dyche Collection captures the first wave of migrants arriving in Birmingham from Africa, the Caribbean and Indian sub-continentDyche Collection
The Dyche Collection captures the first wave of migrants arriving in Birmingham from Africa, the Caribbean and Indian sub-continent
From City Of Empire To City Of Diversity: A Visual Journey has been created from The Dyche Collection, one of the most important photographic collections within Birmingham Archives and acquired by Birmingham Central Library in 1990Dyche Collection
From City Of Empire To City Of Diversity: A Visual Journey has been created from The Dyche Collection, one of the most important photographic collections within Birmingham Archives and acquired by Birmingham Central Library in 1990
Showcasing the Dyche Collection is one of two major photographic exhibitions and an extensive citywide community engagement programmes from Sampad to coincide with the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham Dyche Collection
Showcasing the Dyche Collection is one of two major photographic exhibitions and an extensive citywide community engagement programmes from Sampad to coincide with the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham

Most of the people pictured are anonymous as no records of names survive but Pavandeep Gill, one of the many project volunteers, contacted the exhibition organisers after finding out pictures of her grandparents had been taken at The Dyche Studios in the 1950’s.

Pavandeep said “My grandfather left India after the 1947 Partition in search of a better life. He settled in the Balsall Heath area of the city where he got a job and saved to buy a house. He was then able to bring his wife and sons to the city marking the first time my father had seen him.

A picture of my grandparents has always been on the wall at home. When they died in 2019, we took the frames down and noticed the photographs had been taken at The Dyche Studios. After much research we got in touch with the Library of Birmingham who told us Sampad were putting together the exhibition.”

The photographs of Pavandeep’s family will be displayed in the exhibition and organisers are hopeful that more people will come forward so the stories behind the photographs can be told.

The Dyche Collection highlights the reality of life for immigrants from the Commonwealth countries making a new life in the city Dyche Collection
The Dyche Collection highlights the reality of life for immigrants from the Commonwealth countries making a new life in the city
From City Of Empire To City Of Diversity: A Visual Journey uses the Dyche collection and draws upon other collections held by Birmingham Archives, notably Benjamin Stone, Helen Caddick, Paul Hill, Nick Hedges, Vanley Burke and George HalletDyche Collection
From City Of Empire To City Of Diversity: A Visual Journey uses the Dyche collection and draws upon other collections held by Birmingham Archives, notably Benjamin Stone, Helen Caddick, Paul Hill, Nick Hedges, Vanley Burke and George Hallet
The digitisation of the Dyche Collection photograph archive will be available for all to access in the futureDyche Collection
The digitisation of the Dyche Collection photograph archive will be available for all to access in the future
Sampad is asking members of the public who might know more about the people in the Dyche Collection photographs to get in touch Dyche Collection
Sampad is asking members of the public who might know more about the people in the Dyche Collection photographs to get in touch

A school’s version of the exhibition is currently touring to Sampad’s 20 partner schools across Birmingham. Supported by comprehensive classroom resources, including oral histories, storytelling and an interactive map, it has equipped teachers with the skills to confidently discuss the heritage of the people of Birmingham with thousands of young people.

Parents of Birmingham-born soap star Lorna Laidlaw settled in Birmingham from Jamaica. Lorna who plays Aggie Bailey in Coronation Street said, “From City of Empire to City of Diversity is an amazing project, which I’m proud to be part of.

“It connects our young people with the experiences of our elders, which is essential in understanding the story of Birmingham. The photos remind us we are indebted to those people from the Commonwealth who settled here.”

Birmingham born actress Lorna Laidlaw is a project Ambassador for the Sampad exhibition Sampad Arts
Birmingham born actress Lorna Laidlaw is a project Ambassador for the Sampad exhibition

According to Sampad, the digitisation of the photographic archive will be available for all to access in the future, “the perfect research and educational tool and an everlasting legacy of the project”.

Sampad also wants to hear from members of the public who may have information about the collection or can identify any of the people in the images. Access to a small selection of the photographs already discovered are available here.

From City Of Empire To City Of Diversity: A Visual Journey officially launched in October 2020, as part of Black History Month. It was hosted by our Executive Director, Sabra Khan, and featured an online discussion with speakers, providing an opportunity for audiences to find out more about the importance of this collection and how they can get involved in the project.


Produced by Sampad in partnership with Birmingham Archives, Library of Birmingham and University of Birmingham, the exhibition opens on Friday 18 March-Friday 18 June 2022 and is FREE. Mon-Tues: 11am-7pm, Wed-Sat: 11-5pm, Sun: closed.

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