THEY’RE seeing red at the University of Birmingham – after the unveiling today of a bold new sculpture that’s been dreamed up to add a dash of colour to the sleepily scenic campus calm.

Red Stack, a large, bright and playful sculpture by Dubai artist Shaikha Al Mazrou, stands four metres high and looks for all the world like a carefully balanced tower of pillows.

But you won’t want to sleep on it to make up your mind. It’s crafted from fibreglass and resin, and the artist is coy about her intention, leaving the message of the piece open to audiences.

On display at Chancellor’s Court on the Edgbaston campus, next to the iconic Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clocktower – known popularly as Old Joe by locals – it’s free for everyone to see.

The sculpture has been acquired as a new piece of public art in celebration of the University of Birmingham’s 125th anniversary, which you can read more about here.

“We wanted something joyful and exciting to mark our 125^th anniversary year,” says Clare Mullett, Head of University Collections. “This sculpture makes a playful reference to the University’s proud history as one of the UK’s first redbrick universities in a bold and contemporary way.

“We are thrilled that Red Stack is part of our permanent sculpture collection. It will be a conversation starter, open to interpretation by everyone. We are delighted to welcome everyone to come and enjoy our public art on campus.”

Clare Mullett with the installation team

Artist Shaikha Al Mazrou is an Emirati sculptor known for her bold works that explore tension, balance, and materiality. She lives and works in Dubai, where the University of Birmingham has a campus.

“I am truly thrilled that Red Stack will find its permanent home at the University of Birmingham,” she says. “This piece has always carried with it the energy of dialogue and encounter, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and experience form in space.

Shaikha Al Mazrou

“To know that it will now live within an academic setting where ideas, curiosity, and engagement are constantly in motion feels especially meaningful. I look forward to Red Stack becoming part of the fabric of the university, sparking new ways of seeing and thinking for generations of students, faculty, and visitors alike.”

The acquisition, along with events and activities celebrating the University’s 125^th anniversary, was made possible by the generous support from alumni and supporters through the University of Birmingham’s endowment fund.

Red Stack previously appeared as part of of Frieze Sculpture in Regent’s Park, London, where it attracted favourable reviews.

Images by The University of Birmingham and Greg Milner Studio.