In this film artist artist Edmund Clark talks about his Ikon exhibition – In Place of Hate (6 December 2017 – 11 March 2018).

In this film, Jane Stewart (Principle Curator at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery) gives an insight into the life and work of Thomas Bock.

Interview with artist Edmund Clark to coincide with Ikon’s exhibition – Edmund Clark, In Place of Hate (6 December 2017 – 11 March 2018).

Rosalind Duguid writes in her interview with Edmund Clark for Elephant magazine: “In the first room of Edmund Clark’s exhibition at Ikon Gallery, a low white wall demarcates a small rectangular space. Built into the top of this wall is a lightbox layered with an array of pressed wild flowers. It’s a delicate vision until you realize that the cramped space outlined is the exact dimensions of a cell within HMP Grendon, the prison at which Clark has been artist-in-residence for the past three years.”

Read more about Ikon Slow Boat artist-in-residence Mahtab Hussain’s, time at Ladywood Health and Community Centre.

Last week saw the third annual exhibition of the prisoners’ artwork held at HMP Grendon. Organised by the inmates themselves under the supervision of Edmund Clark the exhibition was visited by over 60 invited artists, curators, writers and other interested guests, as well as many of the staff. The event, held at the conference centre of the prison, is an important opportunity for the inmates to meet the visitors and discuss their art and their activities at HMP Grendon. One of the guests commented: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to become a small part of this excellent approach to helping the men in Grendon. It’s added another dimension to my life.” Another had written: “This exhibition and day have felt like an immense privilege. I hope the programme to support the artists here can continue for many, many years.”

Here at Ikon, we aim to support both emerging and established artists and creatives. As a way of showcasing local makers, Ikon Gallery is hosting a Winter Craft Market on 14 December 4-8pm, with a late night opening of the galleries. This will be a perfect chance to find those last-minute Christmas presents, and you can enjoy 20% discount in Ikon Shop across a range of products.

Donatella Montrone writes in her article in the British Journal of Photography: “As an artist-in-residence for three years, the self-taught photographer immersed himself in prison life, working closely with inmates, wardens and therapeutic staff to create In Place of Hate, a multi-faceted series that, according to Ikon, “explores ideas of visibility, representation, trauma and self-image”, and how these influence the way in which prisoners and the criminal justice system are perceived in Britain today.”

From the introduction of In Place of Hate: Edmund Clark’s new work from Grendon prison by Miranda Green, published in FT Weekend Magazine: “The award-winning artist has spent years working on projects about incarceration and control but, as Grendon’s artist-in-residence, he spent an intense two or more days a week on the inside, beginning in 2014. There he made his own work in response to the prison environment, and facilitated art made by the men as part of their intensive psychotherapy and rehabilitation.”

Berlin-based artist Sofia Hultén grew up in Birmingham during a time of major industrial decline. This contextualises her choice of subject matter and materials, using found mass-produced objects and industrial waste as the basis for her philosophical, humourous curiosities. Having trained as a sculptor at Sheffield Hallam University, she now redefines our pre-existing idea of ‘sculpture’, instead as an expandable media with a performative potential.

Birmingham’s leading contemporary arts organisations have joined forces to create Culture Feast: a joint ticket that gives access to six theatre, dance, music and art events all for £25 total.

The latest post by James Lomax, Ikon Slow Boat artist-in-residence.

Jonathan Watkins (Ikon Director) asks Frances Carey (former Deputy Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum) five questions about Käthe Kollwitz. 

By Helen Cobby, Assistant Curator at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts 

39 of the many artworks or written pieces submitted by inmates of HMP Grendon for the Koestler Trust annual arts award have received awards or commendations, increasing the number by 14 compared to the 2016 awards. This includes 2 First-time Entrant Awards, 21 commendations, 9 Bronze Awards, 2 Silver Awards, 3 Gold Awards, and two Platinum Awards for a pastel drawing Hustles of Brussels by Mark and a painting entitled The Forest of Autumn by Michael. Congratulations to the artists!

Ikon Gallery’s Slow Boat has recently undergone a transformation as it embarks on its next three year programme, Looping the Loop.

Artist Edmund Clark in conversation with Director of Ikon Gallery, Jonathan Watkins.

Keep your children entertained, educated and enthused about art throughout the Summer Holidays! We have a fabulous range of children’s books on offer, from storybooks to activity books suitable for all ages. Pop into Ikon Shop and browse the selection*, or take inspiration from our Bookshop Assistant Ella’s top five picks…Black: An Artist’s TributeSantosh Kumar Das£27.00The author and artist Santosh Kumar Das gives a poetic and conceptually rich insight into his inspiration for becoming an artist, paying tribute especially to the women of his native India. In a storybook format, this beautiful book is a lovely way for children to learn about the spirit and wonders of creativity and the artistic traditions of another culture. The book itself is also a work of art, with exquisite illustrations screen printed on black recycled paper and bound by hand. Each copy is a unique numbered limited edition. Published by Tara Books.

Edmund Clark, Ikon’s artist-in-residence at HMP Grendon, has been nominated for the annual Butler Trust Award. The Trust, set up to recognise and celebrate outstanding practice by those working with offenders, received nominations equalling last year’s record high number. A significantly high proportion of these nominations, over a quarter, were received directly from prisoners. Presided over by HRH The Princess Royal since the Trust’s launch in 1985, the next annual award ceremony will take place in early 2018. For more information on The Butler Trust visit their website or follow the trust on Twitter.

Author Rachel Billington visited Edmund Clark and inmates of HMP Grendon:

By Jiang Jiehong, Heather Connelly and Hiu Man Chan from the Centre for Chinese Visual Arts (CCVA) at Birmingham City University

Ikon is very excited to be exhibiting the work of Sidney Nolan which is on show until 3 September 2017. This exhibition, part of a nationwide programme presented by the Sidney Nolan Trust to celebrate the centenary of Nolan’s birth, brings to light a selection of extraordinary spray painted portraits dating from the 1980s. Anthony Plant, Director of the Sidney Nolan Trust shares his insight into Nolan’s spray paintings.

Oliver Beer’s exhibition at Ikon brings a refreshing perspective to the punchy nostalgia of rifling through a worn family photo album; engaging with the exchange in impact between the individual and the space they inhabit.

Ikon is presenting On Kawara’s One Million Years at Venice Biennale this year.  For those familiar with the city the venue the artwork will be housed in Oratorio di San Ludovico, Dorsoduro, an old ecclesiastic building dedicated to spoken word.