Ikon Founder Artist 1933 – 2021. Jesse Bruton was a founder of Ikon, first opening its doors to the public in April 1965, and a loyal supporter of the gallery to the end. His 2016 retrospective was one of Ikon’s most popular exhibitions, a reminder for old friends of his unique imagination and artistic talent, and a revelation for younger audiences.

Ikon presents the third annual Migrant Festival. A four day programme mixing visual art, music, film and performance, it celebrates the contribution made by refugees and migrants to Birmingham and the UK, whilst bearing witness to the hardships and sacrifices involved.

On Monday 26 July, Selfridges Birmingham unveils a new, large scale art installation by multidisciplinary artist Osman Yousefzada.

In this interview with Head of Clinical Services, Richard Shuker and Lead Creative Psychotherapist, Jo Augustus, Dean Kelland discusses the role of creative practice, the notion of community and the importance of group work at HMP Grendon in the context of the prison’s radical approach to therapy, which informs the artist residency.

Jonathan Watkins, Director, Ikon and Deborah Kermode, CEO & Artistic Director, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) discuss A Very Special Place: Ikon in the 1990s.

Ikon’s activity packs are designed for creative learning at school or home. Inspired by Ikon’s exhibition A Very Special Place: Ikon in the 1990s.

Ikon is delighted to be part of a major new cultural exchange between Australia and the United Kingdom (UK), celebrating each nation’s diverse and innovative artist communities and cultural sectors.

For ten years Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) has steered Slow Boat around the canals of the West Midlands and beyond. A converted narrow boat, it is a unique floating space for IYP, local communities and artists to make and experience art in a stimulating and creative environment.

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon.   “How much is too much masculinity?”

Would you like to join the Ikon team? We are hiring for three exciting roles.

To mark the opening of Ikon for Artists, award winning comedian, writer, artist and television host, Joe Lycett, discusses his eight favourite works of art with Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director. Ikon for Artists is an exhibition of artworks for sale by over 250 Birmingham artists, including Joe Lycett. 100% of the proceeds from artwork sales go directly to the artists.

Watch an interview with Melanie Pocock, Ikon Curator, to learn more about Ikon for Artists.

Ikon is delighted to announce the support of Freelands Foundation in developing Ikon Youth Programme (IYP), which for ten years has navigated Slow Boat around the waterways of the West Midlands and beyond. During 2021-2024, we will expand the alternative curriculum offered by IYP, raising fundamental questions concerning the definition and relevance of art against a backdrop of societal change.

Ikon is delighted to announce we have received a grant of £129,473 from the second round of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

Artist Haroon Mirza discusses his new audiovisual work, year zero (2020) with artist Jack Jelfs, Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director, Sharjah Art Foundation and President, The Africa Institute, and Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director.

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) and Black Hole Club (BLKHLCLB) continue their online collaboration. Work in progress from recent workshops facilitated by Black Hole Club artists: 

Thank you to all of the families who took part in our recent Family Saturday workshop with artist Nilupa Yasmin. Families were introduced to Ikon’s current exhibition Faster Than Ever before creating their own artworks, playing and experimenting with different collage materials and techniques.

Ikon is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Helen Higson OBE DL as Chair of the gallery’s Board of Trustees. Helen is Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management, Aston University and Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands. Simultaneously, Ikon Trustee Harminder Randhawa, Accountant, Jaguar Land Rover, takes the position of Chair at Ikon’s Risk Committee.

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) and Black Hole Club (BLKHLCLB) begin an online collaboration. Follow Ikon Youth Programme on Instagram for regular updates.

Thank you to all of the families who took part in our recent Family Saturday workshop with artist Monica Perez Vega. Families were introduced to Ikon’s current exhibition Faster Than Ever before creating their own versions of key artworks, experimenting with colour, collage and painting.

Get creative at home or school and download our free Activity Packs. Created by Birmingham artist Farwa Moledina, the packs are inspired by Ikon’s current exhibition Faster Than Ever. ​They include practical activities for Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 such as painting, mask making and portraiture, with links to artists’ films you can watch online and questions for thinking and talking about art in relation to other subjects, including global cultures and environments.

Whilst Ikon’s main galleries are closed, our online shop remains open, stocking a wide range of exhibition catalogues, books, artist editions and gifts.

If you missed our recent world premiere of year zero (2020), a new audiovisual artwork by British artist Haroon Mirza, you can watch it in full on Ikon’s YouTube channel until 14 February.

Ikon is pleased to announce Ikon for Artists, an open call exhibition that takes place from 26 February to 14 March 2021 at Ikon Gallery, Brindleyplace.