This exhibition by British artist John Murphy was Ikon’s second collaboration with The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham. Murphy’s practice is one of arrangement and intervention, often involving the placement of his own work with Old Master paintings and other items from museum collections. His measured and refined combinations are intended to make the viewer aware of space, time and distance. Teasing out a network of ideas, readings and subliminal associations, Murphy links the visual arts with classical music, literature, cinema and the stage.

For this exhibition, amongst other historical works of art, Murphy selected Gainsborough’s portrait of the celebrated singer and composer Giusto Ferdinando Tenducci and Manet’s etched portrait of Baudelaire. They were juxtaposed with work by him, referencing Federico Fellini and Marguerite Duras, in order to make poignant observations on the nature of human relationships.

And things throw light on things was supported by Barber Institute of Fine Atys, The University of Birmingham.