Vanley Burke - Murder by Postcode

Murder by Postcode

A series of black and white photographs of public spaces, in an exhibition by Birmingham photographer Vanley Burke seem meaninglessness at first glance, however the images have a more disturbing story to tell.

Murder by Postcode - Vanley Burke©

Murder by Postcode is a photographic exhibition at The Drum by Birmingham photographer Vanley Burke (17th July – 29th August 2008).

Each vacant photograph bares no evidence of their grim past - however each image depicts public spaces in and around Lozells, Aston, Handsworth and Perry Barr where people have been violently murdered through gun or knife crime.

Murder by Postcode - Vanley Burke©

Provoking emotions

Photographer Vanley Burke explains the message behind the images:

“I’m fascinated by these places where people have lost their lives. In many cases there is no evidence of the fatality that has occurred and I’ve chosen to capture these spaces in a way that you cannot tell what atrocity has been committed.
“It’s the initial meaninglessness of the image of the space and the subsequent transformation of emotions it provokes that I am aiming to communicate to the viewer.”

Postcode wars

Gang and turf wars mean that certain areas in Birmingham’s inner city have become ‘no-go’ zones for individuals that live in another part of the city.
The black and white photographs in the exhibition reflect the heartfelt loss communities experience and the increasing number of violent deaths in public places in across the inner city.
Together with thought provoking text that accompanies each image; Vanley invites the viewer to question and debate the growing issues of violent crime on our streets.

Murder by Postcode - Vanley Burke©

“It’s the initial meaninglessness of the image of the space and the subsequent transformation of emotions it provokes that I am aiming to communicate,” says
Vanley Burke.

Murder by postcode map

As part of the exhibition, Vanley Burke has created a map of areas within Birmingham which highlights the streets in which young people have lost their lives over the past 10 years. Each location is labelled with the name, age and date of death of the individual who lost their life.
Visitors to the exhibition at the Drum are invited to contribute to the development of the 'Murder By Postcode Map' by helping to identify locations and people who have been murdered in public spaces in and around Birmingham.