Alfie Solomons

From the smoky streets of Victorian Birmingham appeared the story behind Jon’s art. In collaboration with the West Midlands Police Museum, Jon delved into the history of the infamous Peaky Blinders gang, made famous by the successful BBC series of the same name. This particular piece is inspired by a powerful speech given by the character, Alfie Solomons

His research took him into the museum’s archives and the murky lives of the criminals who ruled the city through violence, fraud and robbery. He explains: “I wanted to try and convey the darker side of the Peaky Blinders – the sinister side, the menace. We all love them, but they were bad, bad men!”