Forward Gallery is proud to announce its appointment by the Peter Phillips Foundation as its Birmingham gallery partner, supporting collector enquiries and acquisitions arising from the major public exhibition celebrating the life and work of Peter Phillips (1939–2025), one of the founding figures of British Pop Art.
Art-O-Matic, 59 x 84cm, Peter Phillips Estate Stamped Digital Print on Paper; Africa Twirl (Commission for 2010 FIFA World Cup), 59 x 84cm, Peter Phillips Estate Stamped Digital Print on Paper; Patch, Various Things 140 x 200cm, acrylic on canvas 2007-10
One of Birmingham’s longest-established independent galleries, Forward Gallery opened its doors in a new location, Cannon Street, in Birmingham city centre one year ago. Going from strength to strength, it will now connect collectors with a carefully selected group of original paintings and estate-authorised prints available through the Foundation.
There has been renewed interest in Phillips, following the launch of a major Birmingham Colmore exhibition, ‘Pop Goes Brum!’, curated by art historian, author and broadcaster Ruth Millington, and developed in partnership with Birmingham School of Art (Birmingham City University).
The exhibition celebrates Phillips’ extraordinary artistic legacy and his enduring connection to Birmingham, the city where he was born and where his artistic journey began. Comic book strips, car parts, pin up girls and bold colours are reassembled in his dynamic compositions, through which he reinvented modern art to reflect the times – and places – he lived in.
Peter Phillips was a pioneer of the British Pop Art movement, studying at the Royal College of Art alongside contemporaries including David Hockney, Peter Blake, Allen Jones, Pauline Boty and R.B. Kitaj before achieving international recognition and exhibiting alongside artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
His work is held in major public and private collections worldwide, most notably Tate and Australia’s National Gallery, and continues to attract strong interest from museums and collectors alike.
Through its collaboration with the Peter Phillips Foundation, Forward Gallery is pleased to facilitate access to a carefully curated selection of original works, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire paintings by one of Britain’s most significant post-war artists.
Alongside these originals, the Foundation has released the first collection of official Peter Phillips prints for a limited period only and to mark one year since the artist passed away. Produced as museum-quality A1 works on paper, each print is individually inspected and stamped by the Foundation in Australia, ensuring exceptional standards of quality and authenticity. Among these prints are Art-O-Matic and Africa Twirl (Commission for 2010 FIFA World Cup).
Forward Gallery is particularly proud to be involved in a project that brings renewed attention to one of Birmingham’s most important artistic figures. The partnership reinforces the gallery’s long-standing commitment to championing significant British artists and connecting collectors with exceptional works of art.
Zoe Phillips-Price, daughter of Peter Phillips has said:
“’Pop Goes Brum!’ was a major homecoming for my father who may have lived and worked around the world but never forgot his roots in Birmingham. Following renewed interest in his artworks, it’s significant and meaningful that he will be championed further in his hometown, among other leading Pop artists, by Forward Gallery.”
Forward Gallery Director Tim Ison has said:
“We are honoured that the Peter Phillips Foundation has chosen Forward Gallery as its Birmingham partner for this important project. Peter Phillips was one of the most significant artists to emerge from Birmingham, and it is a privilege to help connect new audiences and collectors with his work at a time when his contribution to British Pop Art is receiving renewed recognition.”
Please note that Foundation-authorised prints are produced and stamped in Australia. Delivery times may therefore vary, and customers should allow several weeks between order and dispatch.
For information regarding available original works, estate-authorised prints and collector enquiries, please contact Forward Gallery.
