Land next to Birmingham's newest park in Eastside is to be the location for a new piece of public art aimed at putting Birmingham on the international map.

The Birmingham Big Art Project is aiming to raise £2 million to fund the artwork which will mark the centenary of Birmingham Civic Society.

The location of the artwork - on a parcel of land next to the main entrance to Eastside City Park - was revealed at a lunch event at Hotel du Vin in Birmingham to raise funds for the project.

Birmingham Big Art Project chairman Glyn Pitchford said: "We are now able to reveal that, working with the city political leaders and planners, we are liaising closely with those working on HS2 Curzon Street and have identified a prominent area of land at the westerly entrance to Eastside City Park.

"Eventually, if HS2 happens, this preferred site will lie adjacent to a new public square alongside the planned egress from the new station."

Councillor Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, said he believed the location represented the perfect place for a new piece of public art.

He said: "This links in with the Curzon MasterPlan and we can think of nothing more symbolic of the renaissance of Birmingham as being located adjacent to a world-class international train station.

"Whatever happens to HS2, and in any event, an area of land just by the main entrance to Eastside City Park is a significant location in its own right.

"By being able to finally identify this high-profile site, I hope many corporates and potential benefactors will come forward to offer their support through sponsorships, donations and other offers of support."

Lord Digby Jones was guest of honour at the Hotel du Vin fundraiser which raised £13,000.

The cross-bench peer in the House of Lords was joined by specially invited supporters as the work to raise funds for the scheme gathers pace.

Speaking about the project, Mr Pitchford said the aim was to create something which would boost Birmingham's reputation around the world.

He said: "We are developing the most ambitious public art project ever for Birmingham, costing over £2 million, but, if we succeed, it will add to Birmingham’s cultural offer, strengthening this city and our region’s branding across the globe."

When the Big Art Project was launched Mr Pitchford said the new permanent artwork in a highly visible site in or around the needed to have the 'wow factor'.

He said it should be "enduring, relevant, memorable, highly photogenic".

Mr Pitchford also pointed to examples of public art from around the world such as Antony Gormley's Angel of the North in Gateshead and Cloud Gate in Chicago to emphasise how bold, high quality artworks could have a positive impact on the wider economy and help promote Birmingham overseas.