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.

Ikon announces the world premiere of year zero (2020), a new audiovisual artwork by British artist Haroon Mirza.

If you missed our recent Zoom talk with Charisse Kenion and Vanley Burke, you can now watch it in full on Ikon’s YouTube channel.

By James Latunji-Cockbill, Producer – Art at HMP Grendon

While the gallery is temporarily closed, we continue to share our exhibitions and activities via our digital channels. Please visit Ikon’s website and engage with us via social media.

Get creative at school or home and download our free Activity Packs inspired by our current Krištof Kintera exhibition. They include practical activities for Early Years, Key Stage 1, 2 and 3.

The iconic Selfridges building at Bullring is set for major renovation work beginning in Autumn 2020 with completion expected ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2022. During this time, the building will be covered in a striking installation created by Birmingham-born artist and designer Osman Yousefzada. This is Osman’s first piece of public art, which he has titled Infinity Pattern 1. The distinctive art work is part of a series of experimentations of tessellated patterns that are reminiscent of the perennial architectural qualities in his work, and also suggest a space without borders of symbolic bridges – connecting continuously shifting cultures and dream worlds.