Artist Edmund Clark spoke to prisoner Michael about what art means to him.

Sidney Nolan (1917 – 1992), one of the most important Australian artists of the twentieth century, lived his last years on the Welsh-Midlands border. Between June and September 2017 Ikon presents an exhibition which brings to light a selection of extraordinary paintings by Sidney Nolan dating from the 1980s. This exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Sidney Nolan Trust, is part of year long celebrations to mark the centenary of his birth.

We are delighted to announce that Yorks Café will be opening at Ikon in March 2017 to deliver catering for both the café and event hire at the gallery. An exciting new partnership between two much loved Birmingham brands, it will be a new addition to the city’s quality of life, mixing informality and innovation.

At Ikon, we offer a number of student placements each year across departments.

A selection of works by men from HMP Grendon went on display at Vibin’s a restaurant in Buckingham, a town just 10 miles from the prison. The opening of the exhibition coincided with the fundraising event of Friends of Grendon, a charity led by professor David Wilson.

Art at HMP Grendon, the second exhibition of the prisoners’ artwork, was organised by the men themselves under the supervision of Edmund Clark. Over 50 invited artists, curators, writers and other interested guests headed to the conference centre of the prison to meet the inmates and discuss their art on what has become an important day in the calendar of the prison. One of the prisoners, Gavin, had this to say:

HMP Grendon inmate Tom talks about his passion for poetry. His poem Guiltfoot Ron (below) received the Tim Robertson Platinum Award at the Koestler Awards 2016.

25 of the many artworks submitted by prisoners from HMP Grendon for the Koestler Trust annual arts award have received awards or commendations, more than doubling the success in the 2015 awards. This includes 15 commendations, 4 Bronze Awards (£20 cash prize), 3 Silver Awards (£40 cash prize), two Gold Awards (£60 cash prize) for a mixed media piece Still Life for a Still Life and sculpture Group Therapy (photo above), and one Tim Robertson Platinum Award (£100 cash prize) for a poem entitled Guiltfoot Ron. Congratulations to the artists!

Two weeks ago Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) were given the opportunity to construct Mahtab Hussain’s installation, Mitti Ka Ghar – a scaled replica of a traditional Pakistani clay house.

Edmund Clark in conversation with Jonathan Watkins.

Read more about Mahtab Hussain, the lead artist for the Ikon’s Black Country Voyages 2016, converting Ikon’s canal boat into a vehicle for The Auspicious Journey.

The latest post from Mahtab Mahtab Hussain, The Auspicious Journey.    

The latest post from Mahtab Mahtab Hussain, The Auspicious Journey.

The latest post from Mahtab Mahtab Hussain, The Auspicious Journey.  

Read more about Mahtab Hussain, the lead artist for the Ikon’s Black Country Voyages 2016, converting Ikon’s canal boat into a vehicle for The Auspicious Journey.

On 20 August, IYP were invited to visit the Sidney Nolan Trust for a day trip at The Rodd in Presteigne, Wales.

Read Pippa Davis, Ikon Youth Programme member thoughts on Patrick Killoran’s installation, Observation Deck (Birmingham).

We are delighted to announce our new twelve month partnership with Cass Art – the UK’s leading independent art supplies retailer – who are generously supporting Ikon’s Family Saturdays and Art Explorer Fridays by providing high quality art materials for our visitors.

Dan Flavin’s work has completely transformed the gallery spaces here at Ikon Gallery. To accompany the exhibition Ikon Shop are stocking some stylish bags and badges.

By Saffiyah Khan, Ikon Youth Programme member

Read more about the event which celebrated the start of the plan to re-open the Bradley Locks and allowed non boaters to sign up and join boat owners on their trip.

A very special Instameet took place on 5 March 2016 in collaboration with Ikon, where 50 members of the IGersBirmingham community descended on Balsall Heath.

Jacques Nimki’s final weekend on the boat.

Read more about Ikon Youth Programme member Carmen’s review on Dinh Q. Lê, Janet Mendelsohn and Kelly Mark exhibitions.