The fourth in a series of surveys of Ikon’s artistic programme, this exhibition is a review of the 1990s. It comprises work by 40 artists who featured in exhibitions at our venue in John Bright Street during 1990-1997, and at Ikon’s current premises in Brindleyplace until 1999.

With Elizabeth Macgregor as Director, Ikon’s outlook was increasingly international, with a particular emphasis on the Americas and Australia. Concerning the representation of British artists, there was an eclectic mix ranging from painters such as Basil Beattie and Lisa Milroy to the more overtly experimental practices of artists such as Georgina Starr and Mark Wallinger. Ikon’s 90s programme also featured a number of local artists associated with diaspora communities including Permindar Kaur, Keith Piper and Donald Rodney.

Artists include: Felicity Allen, Siah Armajani, Edward Allington, Basil Beattie, Gordon Bennett, Zarina Bhimji, Ansuya Blom, Adam Chodzko, Juan Davila, Mark Dion and Jason Simon, Eugenio Dittborn, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Ellen Gallagher, Víctor Grippo, Graham Gussin, Callum Innes, Permindar Kaur, Tania Kovats, Cildo Meireles, Lisa Milroy, Antoni Miralda, Avis Newman, Lucia Nogueira, Vong Phaophanit, Adrian Piper, Keith Piper, Donald Rodney, Martha Rosler, Yinka Shonibare, Nancy Spero, Georgina Starr, Suzanne Treister, Amikam Toren, Alison Turnbull, Shelagh Wakely*, Maxine Walker**, Mark Wallinger, John Yeadon.

*Presented off-site at CBSO Centre. Spotlight tours of Shelagh Wakely’s Rug for CBSO Centre on 7 July and 10 August. **Presented off-site at mac Birmingham. Maxine Walker, Untitled, 24 May – 30 August 2021, Monday to Sunday, 9am – 9pm.

A Very Special Place: Ikon in the 1990s is supported by Elonex, The Grimmitt Trust, Paul Mellon Centre and The Owen Family Trust