As the part of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery where you will find the large paid exhibition it's easiest to make it there through the Gas Hall entrance rather than the ramble through the main gallery entrance.
The Gas Hall has a rolling programme or paid exhibitions with some better than others, currently the exhibition is about childhood and whilst a few interesting original paintings have been curated, including an amazing Ana Maria Pacheco, other elements let it down. With reproduction, poorly mounted and displayed old magazine covers and a faux bedroom with boxes to explore under the bed I know I would feel disappointed for paying the entrance fee. The element of visitor interaction is always well thought out with a childhood specific comment card that puts you and your experiences into the exhibition.
Whilst this exhibition isn't amazing the previous Lost in Lace exhibition was stunning and well worth the fee. Although i was disappointed in the installation of the Cats Cradle piece that when displayed at the Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre enabled you to walk through it, feeling immersed and as trapped as the white dresses that you could see from a different perspective.
Always investigate thoroughly what the exhibition is first, the exhibits and any reviews so that you are happy with the entrance fee. read more