Artists behind Star Wars, Marvel, DC and posters for some of the world’s biggest bands are among more than 60 international artists coming together with new works for a unique charity art exhibition in Birmingham this October.
Movie poster artist Matt Ferguson, acclaimed comic book illustrators Jock and Tula Lotay, and artists who have created gig posters for bands including Foo Fighters and Jack White are among the names taking part in AMPjam Presents: We’ve Been Framed.
Sponsored by The Jointworks and Birmingham Design Festival, the exhibition will feature more than 60 original, one-of-a-kind artworks inspired by films including Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Toy Story, The Lord of the Rings, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Odyssey and Lilo & Stitch.
It kicks off with a free public launch event on Friday 2nd October from 6PM at The Jointworks in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, where visitors will be among the first to see the complete collection.
The evening will also give film and art fans the opportunity to meet artists taking part in the show, browse artist exhibitor stalls and hear talks from leading names including acclaimed West Midlands movie poster artist Paul Shipper.
The concept behind We’ve Been Framed turns the traditional art exhibition on its head.
Each participating artist was invited to choose from a collection of unusual and evocative frames, from rare pieces of movie memorabilia and antiques to unexpected high-street finds, and create an original artwork inspired by a film specifically for that frame.
The results include Homer Simpson appearing inside a giant pink doughnut, An American Werewolf in London housed in a historic London Underground ticket office frame, Tron inside a vintage computer and Bruce Lee’s The Big Boss presented in a 1920s Chinese dragon frame.
Gareth Griffiths founded AMPjam Poster Convention as an online event in 2020, when lockdown brought pop-culture art events to a standstill. This livestreamed event has hosted an international guestlist and drew in a global audience. The convention was originally run from his employer’s offices in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, just a stone’s throw from the location of the new exhibition.
Gareth said: “The response from the movie poster and pop-culture art community has been incredible. We have more than 60 artists taking part from across the UK, Europe, the United States, Colombia, the Philippines and Australia.
“We also have brilliant artists much closer to home, including West Midlands movie poster legend Paul Shipper and Birmingham’s own Doaly. To have this level of support from artists around the world for a local Birmingham charity is quite overwhelming.
“Seeing all of these artworks together is something else. The connection between the artwork and the frame is seamless, and every artist has interpreted the idea differently. There will be so much for people to discover when they walk around the exhibition.”
The art show is in aid of Gareth’s school friend, Connor Maher, a legend of the Worcester music scene who died last year in a tragic accident at just 36.
Every artwork will be auctioned online following the show, with all profits going to Edgbaston-based family bereavement charity Edward’s Trust.
Edward’s Trust provides holistic support for bereaved parents, children and young people across the West Midlands. The charity recently launched its Without Us appeal to help bridge a funding gap and protect the face-to-face counselling and therapies it provides to local families.
Gareth added: “The launch isn’t just for established movie-art fans and collectors. I’d really encourage film, art and illustration students, young creatives and anyone who has ever wondered how these incredible posters and illustrations are made to come along.
“It’s a rare chance to see original work from more than 60 artists in one place, meet people working at the highest level of the industry and hear from some of the most successful pop-culture artists working today. And it’s completely free.”
AMPjam Presents: We’ve Been Framed launches at Jointworks in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on Friday 2 October 2026 and runs for 4 weeks (available to view between 9am and 5pm Mon-Fri). Entry to the launch event is free, with donations to Edward’s Trust welcomed.
Follow @ampjamcon for updates.
Free tickets: www.thejointworks.com/wbf26
