Artist Ranjit Singh has found an ideal venue to display his work - the foyer of the Northfield tower block where he lives. Ranjit, who graduated from the UCE last year, approached the Housing department for the go-ahead to stage exhibitions of his work at Shelley Tower, on the Ingoldsby Estate.  The pieces he has shown aim to reach out to people trapped by social and economic disadvantage. Currently on show, until 1 February, is a sculpture called The Surplus Workers.  Ranjit says: “the piece identifies specific social groups that function to ensure economic stability, The majority of my work deals with specific social issues with the intention of raising social consciousness.” His work has drawn a range of reactions from neighbors in the 70-flat tower block, Ranjit says: “Some quite enjoy it although the other day I found two men arguing about it - my feeling is that any reaction is a good. A lot of people feel intimidated by conceptual art but this is a way to make it more approachable.”  Now he is liaising with friends and fellow artists living on Council estates with the aim of exchanging work and venues.

Metro News Birmingham publication 1999

All in a days work Ranjit Singh with his sculpture The Surplus Workers