Canadian photographer Roy Arden’s work focuses on the concept of the city, its social history and development.  He depicts the everyday world and invites the viewer to make meaning out of such observation.

Inspired by Arden’s Ikon exhibition, 30 children from Erdington Hall Primary School, Birmingham engaged with two local artists to produce their own artwork which was subsequently exhibited alongside the artist’s work in March 2006.

During the five week project, local artists Helen Mills and James Cangiano designed and facilitated a series of creative sessions that gave pupils the opportunity to experiment with a variety of creative techniques, challenge their ideas about what art can be whilst also progressively developing their practical skills. The pupils explored the issues present in Arden’s work and were encouraged to reflect on what they had created, discussing why they had made it and how it related to the work of Arden.