Six large format prints from an exhibition by one of the UK’s leading photographers, Martin Parr, will remain in The Public’s permanent collection, and are displayed for free in the gallery.

Black Country Stories, commissioned by local arts organisation, Multistory, and exhibited at The Public between 11 November 2010 and 23 January 2011, is a photographic archive of 667 photographs documenting the life of people in the Black Country and exploring the regions cultural make up. Throughout the exhibition, visitors were requested to help the West Bromwich arts centre select six photographs to add to their permanent collection by voting for their favourite images. (above)

The Public has selected six images which best represent the diversity and cultural make up of the Black Country. The images will remain in The Public’s collection for future visitors to enjoy.

As well as voting for their favourite images, members of the public were invited to comment on the exhibition, with visitors from across the UK describing it as ‘a pictorial love story to an area and it’s people’, ‘community poetry’, and ‘fantastic record of a truly amazing place’. Having touched so many, the full archive collected of the fascinating photographic journal will now be donated by Multistory to Sandwell Library and Information Service for future generations to enjoy.

Members of the public on Black Country Stories:

• A pictorial love-letter to an area and its’ people
• Beautiful, eye opening… For a stranger it gives a great sense of place and makes me think more of the culture of my own home town
• My roots are in West Brom I just loved all of the photographs as they captured every aspect of the wonderful, warm hearted Black Country people. Thank you. I shall revisit the Public again and again
• Community poetry
• Fantastic record of a truly amazing place
• Excellent representation of cultures, past times and living of the Black Country.

Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 11am - 3pm