The creative duo – comprising graphic designer Ernest Otoo and photographer Andy Pilsbury – will be at Castle Fine Art in the ICC from 1pm until 3pm on Saturday 9th December. Visitors will have the chance to hear the former Birmingham City University students speak about the new body of work and the creative processes behind their hypnotic ink art, which combines high-speed photography, moving images and ethereal soundscapes.

Andy and Ernest originally formed Plume as a creative outlet away from their self-described mundane work routines. They quickly made a name for themselves after they were selected to exhibit in fine art publisher Washington Green’s Summer Exhibition in 2016 after entering their Tabula Rasa project into its IN:SIGHT competition.

The twosome combine juxtaposing skill sets to create their ink-in-water pieces. Ernest views art from a technical and design perspective, whilst photographer Andy uses his understanding of light and shooting to react quickly to the ink movements.

Describing their work as “escapism through exploring”, Plume are inspired by artists such as Leif Podhajský, Samuel Burgess-Johnson, Phill Blake and Richard Mosse. Together, they hope to revolutionise the use of ink and its effect on the viewer.

Andy said: “Our work is a voyeuristic look at the hypnotic behaviour of different coloured paints in water. The medium is naturally beautiful. We didn’t feel there was a need to weigh it down with a deep and heavy meaning – each viewer takes away their own experience.”

Ernest added: “Birmingham is where it all started for us, having gone to university here and started Plume in my flat off of Broad Street. It means a lot to be exhibiting at the ICC gallery again after the Summer Exhibition and we really can’t wait for the show.”

Beth McCarthy, gallery manager for Castle Fine Art, ICC, said: “Plume’s work has been in high demand ever since it was first showcased at our Summer Exhibition, so we’re really excited to have their new collection in the gallery.