Chew the Phat – Cities Without Houses

The event at SoHo House Birmingham, co-hosted with PHORM under the “Cities Without Houses” initiative, was a unique reflection on the intersection of art, culture, and personal narratives. Titled “Chew the Phat,” it served as a platform to not only pay homage to the late Benjamin Zephaniah but also to spotlight the creative journey of his brother, David O Springer (aka DOS), a distinguished screen printer and print pioneer.

The intimate setting at Minima allowed for an engaging and personal dialogue where Dave shared the stage, offering attendees a retrospective glimpse into some of his favourite T-shirts, printed over the years, alongside Benjamin's iconic works. Each piece on display carried stories of a shared passion for the crafts that defined our lives—culture and screen printing. From these stories, a common thread emerged: the power of art to challenge, resist, and inspire. These T-shirts were more than just garments; they were bold statements, each infused with political and social undertones, much like Benjamin's poetry.

SoHo House Birmingham, co-hosted with PHORM under the "Cities Without Houses"

With a vibrant audience that included creatives, artists, and local visionaries, "Chew the Phat" wasn’t just a nostalgic look back, but a meaningful celebration of the continued relevance of our work. As the night drew to a close, the impact of our discussion echoed—reinforcing the idea that the art we create and the stories we tell have the power to inspire future generations.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, March 7th, 2024
Time: 16:00
Location: Minima
Photography By: Crumb Creative

It was a privilege to host an evening with Dave / DOS at Minima in Birmingham, in collaboration with Soho House & creative collective PHORM. The evening was conceived to honour Dave’s contribution to the print & streetwear scene of more than four decades — and the immeasurable cultural contribution of his late brother Benjamin Zephaniah — & the whole Springer family.

When we first started planning Benjamin was due to be speaking alongside Dave, but as circumstances sadly unfolded, and after a period of reflection, we decided to go ahead with the event in a new, commemorative spirit. It was beautiful to celebrate with family and friends – to look back at the impact of these two men – and how their stories intertwined.

As expected, it was too much greatness to fit into a hundred evenings – a feeling of dignified celebration was palpable – and beautifully captured by Crumb Creative. Production duties were ably handled by Boom, with fitting attention to detail.

I loved spending time with Dave, getting to know him and learning more about his story – not only is he brilliant and talented, he is also a gentleman – full of compassion and kindness.

Luke Tonge
Co-founder & co-director
Birmingham Design Festival