One of the UK's leading artists is searching for aspiring Midland models who want to be immortalised on a piece of public art in Birmingham.
The sculpture, which will adorn The Cube, the final phase of The Mailbox, will be created by graffiti artist Temper.
The Wolverhampton-born artist has built up a reputation as one of the country's leading graffiti artists with his work at London’s infamous Saatchi and Saatchi agency and the Chelsea players’ lounge at Stamford Bridge football stadium.
But he has now turned his hand to sculpture for the £250,000 installation at The Cube.
Temper will be touring towns in the West Midlands, encouraging people to put themselves forward for the competition.
He said: "The people of the Midlands are my inspiration for this piece of work and, their spirit, passion and personality is unique and special and should be celebrated.
"This is the chance for six members of the public to become part of the fabric of the city for years to come.
"Without giving too much away, I already have the concept for this piece of work, I know what I want to create, but I need to find the right people to bring it to life.
"Through the Ourspace competition I am hoping to find those people to become my models."
Temper has achieved nine consecutive sell-out collections and is thought to be the most collected graffiti artist in the UK. The tour starts in New Street station today, moving up to Birmingham’s Victoria Square tomorrow, Wolverhampton’s Mander Shopping Centre on May 8, Paradise Forum in Birmingham on May 9, and Solihull town centre on May 10.
Competition entries can also be made by logging onto www.mailboxlife/Ourspace. All applicants must explain in no more than 150 words why they or their nominated friend or family member deserves to be one of the chosen Ourspace models.
Applicants must also upload a picture. The successful models will be chosen at the end of May.
Alan Chatham, director of Birmingham Development Company, which owns The Cube, said: "Having chosen one of the world’s top architects in Ken Shuttleworth to design The Cube, it was important that we made a similar statement when we commissioned a piece of public art and in Temper we feel we have one of the country’s most exciting young talents."
