South Shields student gives historic railway modern makeover

Sarina Kaur, a visual communications student at Birmingham City University, beat off stiff competition to be crowned winner of an art competition marking the arrival of the High Speed Rail link in Birmingham.

Her winning design is now on display between the Roman-inspired columns of the former Curzon Street station entrance - giving the world’s oldest surviving piece of monumental railway architecture a contemporary look.

Sarina, from South Shields, said: “I never expected to win, but I am delighted to have done so.

“The inspiration behind my design has taken influence by the illustrator and art director Kate Moross.

“Using a serif font and reforming the elements of a steam locomotive to represent the 19th century, I have merged elements of both traditional and modern styles, allowing audiences to understand how art has been influenced over the years.”

The Government announced that Royal Assent had been granted for the new High Speed Two (HS2) railway last month, paving the way for construction of the Phase One line of route between Birmingham Curzon Street and London Euston to begin.

HS2 Ltd joined forces with the University in a bid to find a talented artist whose winning design would be reproduced as a centrepiece to celebrate Curzon Street’s important railway heritage and exciting future.

The competition was supported by the University’s Graduate+ initiative, which looks to develop students’ experience and skills.