Eye in sky artwork lands prize for Robert
It is the eye in the Midlands sky which usually helps to catch criminals and give an overview of major incidents.
But now the stunning views photographed aboard the West Midlands Police helicopter have helped inspire one artist to land a prestigious prize.
Stourbridge-based artist Robert Perry already specialises in capturing cityscapes on canvas showing rarely seen views of well known views and landmarks.
He struck upon his latest idea after spotting a feature in the Express & Star showcasing breathtaking photographs of Midlands lit up at night taken from the police helicopter.
The 69-year-old former school and college teacher contacted the police who helped supply him with some of the images taken from the skies.
This oil-based work, measuring 6ft by 4ft, took around five days to complete in the studio. It shows a stunning aerial view of Birmingham city centre and won Mr Perry first prize in a Royal Birmingham Society of Artists' competition.
See also: Bright lights, second city - Stunning aerial photographs of Birmingham at night
Landmarks in the image include the Rotunda, The Mailbox with the International Convention Centre and National Indoor Arena.
Mr Perry, who has also painted from Dudley's Turner Hill, Alpha Tower in Birmingham, the Rotunda and Brindley Place rooftops, wanted to capture a twinkling cityscape from several thousand feet.
He transformed the image from the helicopter's onboard sky-scanner cameras – the curse of countless criminals trying to escape capture – into an oil-on-canvas painting. His creation caught the eye of competition judges' and was unveiled as first prize winner from around 200 entrants in its 'Birmingham Today' exhibition at the society's Brook Street gallery last Saturday.
"I've painted many West Midlands landscapes from tall structures but this time I wanted to go even higher," said Mr Perry, of Wordsley Green, Wordsley, who studied at Stourbridge Secondary Art School above the old library off Hagley Road.
"The city centre image from the helicopter intrigued me with its abstract light qualities – the sodium street lamps and turquoise illuminating from hotels – and thought it illustrated Birmingham's vibrancy."
l To see more pictures taken by West Midlands Police of the region at night, visit www.expressandstar.com
