85-year-old artist embarks on first exhibition

Colin Fisher is one of the oldest practising artists in Britain today - and at 85 he is embarking on his first professional art exhibition at The Birmingham Contemporary Art Gallery (BCAG).

Through his body of work, Colin explores the social and economic environment after the Second World War, focusing on some of the industrialised areas of Birmingham and the Black Country that were affected by the Blitz.

His work tells the story of the conditions that families and young children lived through.

Thirty pieces of Colin 's artwork will be displayed at the BCAG from today until 31 December.

Colin (pictured) has lived an extraordinary life, from serving in the armed forces and being called up for his first duties after training on a freezing cold Christmas Eve, shortly after which he was drafted out to Cyprus.

He also served in the Suez Canal and the Royal Signal Corp as a radio mechanic as well as in the 455 Commandos.

Albert Wallace, co-director of the BCAG, said: “Colin 's exhibition is much more than wanting to just tell his story.

“It 's one that he feels the nation and especially the young generation is fast losing to the rise of social media, and while technology and progression is important, it 's also educational for us to be reminded every now and again of where we were over eighty years ago. ”

Colin 's exhibition will preview on tonight from 6-9pm at The Birmingham Contemporary Art Gallery and will be on display until 31 December 2021.