Exhibition14.06.202215.08.2022
OFF-SITE
PAST EXHIBITION

Hew Locke

Foreign Exchange

Exhibition14.06.202215.08.2022
OFF-SITE
PAST EXHIBITION

Hew Locke

Foreign Exchange

Birmingham’s city-centre sculpture of Queen Victoria is reimagined by acclaimed Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke, presented by Birmingham 2022 Festival.

Originally unveiled in 1901, Sir Thomas Brock’s marble figure of Queen Victoria was then recast in bronze by William Bloye and members of Birmingham School of Art in 1951. Locke’s vision is to create “an object of veneration, leading a battalion of other statues to represent the home nation throughout the Empire.”

Locke’s interest in the power of statues originates from his childhood in Guyana where he passed a sculpture of Queen Victoria every day on the way to school. He has been reimagining historical statues for twenty years. Commissioned by Ikon, this is Locke’s first temporary public sculpture.

Generously supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Henry Moore Foundation and the Ikon Investment Fund.

Ikon presented a major exhibition by Hew Locke, Here’s The Thing, in 2019.

Watch a short film about Foreign Exchange

No video files found.
00:00
00:00

Talk with Dr Gus Casely-Hayford

No video files found.
00:00
00:00

Downloads

Document Name
Type
Size
Download
Frequently Asked Questions
pdf
135.4 kB
Press Release
pdf
1.9 MB
Schools Offer
pdf
1.0 MB
KS1 Activity Pack
pdf
1.4 MB
KS2 Activity Pack
pdf
1.7 MB
KS3 Activity Pack
pdf
1.6 MB
KS4 Activity Pack
pdf
1.9 MB

VENUE

Victoria Square

Birmingham B1 1BD

SHARE

Media

Related

Exhibition08.03.201902.06.2019
See more
Hew Locke: Here’s the Thing
Fusing historical source material with a keen interest in current affairs, often through the juxtaposition or modification of existing artefacts, Locke focuses attention especially on the UK, the monarchy and his childhood home of the then newly independent Guyana.
Exhibition20.07.202231.07.2022
See more
Schools Showcase
This showcase is a celebration of artworks made by pupils from Birmingham primary and secondary schools, responding to Hew Locke’s temporary public sculpture Foreign Exchange.
STAY IN TOUCH
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

IKON GALLERY
1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace
Birmingham, B1 2HS

GALLERY: +44 (0)121 248 0708
SHOP: +44 (0)121 248 0711

Ikon is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and Birmingham City Council.

Copyright © 2024 IKON. All rights reserved. Registered charity no. 528892