David Rowan: time and memory in the clock tower
Birmingham-based artist David Rowan is currently undertaking an 18-month residency centred on the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower at the University of Birmingham. Known locally as Old Joe, the tower becomes both subject and lens in Rowan’s exploration through time-based media, including newly commissioned photographs and video works.
Rowan’s practice is rooted in uncovering the hidden architecture and forgotten histories of urban environments. In this residency, he turns his attention to the clock tower’s lesser-known spaces, revealing:
- Unseen interiors, from mechanical chambers to vantage points typically closed to the public
- Surprising views of the campus and city, reframed through the tower’s unique perspective
- Time-infused visual works, capturing light and movement to evoke memory and transformation
This project continues Rowan’s broader artistic inquiry into urban change and architectural memory. As the residency unfolds, Rowan invites us to see the clock tower not just as a landmark, but as a living archive — a structure shaped by time, technology, and the city’s evolving identity.