Home / Science / Artist Unearths 420 Million Years of Black Country History
Artist Unearths 420 Million Years of Black Country History
16 May
Summary
- Artist Stuart Whipps explores 420 million years of geological history.
- The Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark showcases fossils and mineral wealth.
- Whipps highlights overlooked working-class stories in geological discoveries.
Artist Stuart Whipps is currently exploring over 420 million years of geological history within the West Midlands, encompassing Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. This area was recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020, celebrating its significant geological heritage, including notable fossils and mineral wealth.
Whipps is particularly interested in the personal narratives intertwined with the region's geology, emphasizing the contributions of working-class individuals in mining and fossil discovery. He aims to bring these often-uncredited stories to light during his residency at The New Art Gallery in Walsall.
The artist's project, titled 'The Formation of the Universe,' will culminate in public events on May 16 and July 4, 2026. Whipps uses performance lectures with analogue projectors and objects to tell stories about places, hoping to encourage new perspectives on the Black Country's global significance.
