Artist's first solo show to be held in home city

A Wolverhampton-born artist is having his first solo institutional exhibition in his home city.

Shaqúelle Whyte, who was born in the city in 2000, graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2023 and has previously shown work in Hong Kong and London.

Now Wolverhampton Art Gallery is preparing to present exhibition Shattered Dreams, featuring six paintings created between 2023 and 2026. The event runs from Saturday 18 April until Sunday 31 August.

Whyte said: "I'm Blakenhall born and bred and it's an honour and a privilege to bring my work back to the city. I hope that in a small way I am able to fly the flag for what the Black Country represents wherever my journey may take me."

The presentation features Whyte's nocturnal painting Blackbirds Singing in the Dead of Night, painted in 2025, which has been acquired for Wolverhampton Art Gallery's permanent collection.

A spokesperson for the art gallery said: "Whyte's connection to Wolverhampton is deeply personal and formative.

"He has spoken about the importance of visits to Wolverhampton Art Gallery during his youth, which played a pivotal role in nurturing his creativity and introducing him to the possibilities of artistic expression.

"The acquisition of Blackbirds Singing in the Dead of Night and the exhibition Shattered Dreams celebrate this journey and reinforce the gallery's role in inspiring future generations of artists."

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