Ikon is pleased to announce Slow Boat’s visit to Stoke-on-Trent in partnership with GRAIN Projects. Taking place throughout April and May 2025, Slow Boat’s programme of activity involves artists and photographers, education partners and arts organisations, with a focus on engaging young people in North Staffordshire.

Australian Aboriginal artist Yhonnie Scarce was born in Woomera, South Australia, and belongs to the Kokatha and Nukunu peoples. Back in Birmingham for a residency until late-May, Scarce working with glass, explores the political nature and aesthetic qualities of the material – in particular corresponding to the crystallisation of desert sand as a result of British nuclear tests on her homeland during 1956-63.

From 14 June 2022, Birmingham’s city-centre sculpture of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square is reimagined by acclaimed Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke,  presented by Birmingham 2022 Festival.

By Rosie Abbey, Ikon Youth Programme Coordinator

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

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.

Get monthly updates on activity surrounding the new three year artist residency at HMP Grendon.

A converted narrow boat, Slow Boat is a unique floating space for local communities and artists to make and experience art in a stimulating and creative environment. Get involved and take a look at our upcoming events this summer!

It’s been a great spring on board Ikon Slow Boat! A converted narrow boat, Slow Boat is a unique floating space for local communities and artists to make and experience art in a stimulating and creative environment. Here’s an update of what’s been happening on board:

Ikon interviews artist Famina Bi, who participates in Forward: New Art from Birmingham, to hear more about her intricate pattern-based mixed media work and how she uses art as a platform to open up dialogues.

Ikon talks to artist Betsy Bradley, who participates in Forward: New Art from Birmingham, to hear more about her investigative painting, her work included in the exhibition, and her thoughts on being an artist in Birmingham.

Ikon talks to artist Larissa Shaw, who participates in Forward: New Art from Birmingham, to hear more about her tactile work, process driven approach and her connection to Birmingham.

You may recall Ikon’s 2018 exhibition Young Birmingham Artists: Ikon artists from the 1960s that looked back at work by Ikon’s founding artists, now we look forward. Forward: New Art from Birmingham is open at Medicine Bakery and Gallery until 24 March and showcases work from a thriving community of contemporary artists who represent the culture in the city today. Katharine Wade, the artist behind the new Forward crest, reveals the inspirations and meanings behind her design.

Ikon’s new exhibition Forward: New Art from Birmingham opened last week at Medicine Bakery and Gallery. We interviewed artist Antonio Roberts to hear more about his digital artwork, artistic interests and how he sees Birmingham as a place of community.

Ikon’s new exhibition Forward: New Art from Birmingham opened last night at Medicine Bakery and Gallery. We caught up with artist Emily Scarrott to hear more about her installation, inspirations and thoughts about Birmingham’s artistic community.

In the run-up to Ikon’s new exhibtion Forward: New Art from Birmingham, artist Ken Banks discusses his artwork, process and feelings about Birmingham.

Ahead of the opening of Forward: New Art from Birmingham, artist Ally Standing talks to Ikon about her art practice, what she’s exhibiting and her thoughts on being an artist in Birmingham. The first in a series of blog posts – stay tuned to hear more from artists participating in Forward. A series of artist video interviews, filmed at the artists’ studios will be released over the course of the exhibition and you can watch them on our YouTube channel here.

Art at HMP Grendon, the annual art exhibition was held at the prison on 27 November. The exhibition was organised by inmates of HMP Grendon under the supervision of artst-in-residence Edmund Clark. In addition to the men as well as the staff, the event was visited by over 65 invited guests. The event, held at the conference centre of the prison, is a unique opportunity for the inmates to meet other artists, curators, educators and the public and discuss their art and their time at HMP Grendon.

Interested in dreams and memories? Explore the Dreamboat Showcase open 7–11 November, 11am–5pm Wednesday–Saturday and Sunday 11am–3pm.

HMP Cooking and Equality come from M James’ Crime, Love and Literature, a collection of a total of 21 poems, which received a Platinum Award at this year’s Koestler Awards.

32 artworks and written pieces submitted by inmates of HMP Grendon for the Koestler Trust annual arts award have received awards or commendations. This includes 20 commendations, 3 Bronze Awards, 4 Silver Awards, 3 Gold Awards, and 2 Platinum Awards for a matchstick model of Land Rover Defender 110 by Philip and a poetry collection entitled Crime, Love and Literature by Moses.

The new issue of the Prison Service Journal is a special edition, focusing on: The Arts in Prison. It features a review of In Place of Hate, Edmund Clark’s exhibition at Ikon Gallery, by Professor Yvonne Jewkes; a review of Edmund Clark’s residency at HMP Grendon by Birmingham City University’s Elizabeth Yardley and Dan Rusu; as well as an interview with Edmund Clark by Michael Fiddler of University of Greenwich. The issue is available to download on the Centre for Crime and Justice website.

Ming de Nasty is currently artist in residence on Ikon’s Slow Boat. We asked her about LADYWOOD –  a series of portraits of female refugees that are displayed around the Soho Loop.