Astral Dance Safety Curtain

Tour and Short Film Screening

Join us at Birmingham Hippodrome for a tour of Balraj Khanna’s largest painting to date Astral Dance (2001) and a screening of The Big Bang a short film produced by the artist’s daughter Rani Khanna.

This event offers a window into the journey Khanna undertook in painting the safety curtain, and marks the 25th anniversary of Khanna’s landmark commission as part of the redevelopment of Birmingham Hippodrome following their 100th anniversary.

This exhibition is generously supported by lead supporter Bagri Foundation, with additional support from ai. gallery, the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, Jhaveri Contemporary, and The Estate of Balraj Khanna.

BOOK TICKETS

Event Dates

Sunday 01.11.2026 / 12.00pm–1.00pm

Event Details

£5

Booking essential

To help us make the best use of limited capacity and support the delivery of our public programme, tickets for this event are £5.

Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and non-transferable.

Please note this event takes place at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Meeting Point: Via Thorp Street Reception. Just to the right of the main Hurst Street entrance as you face the front of the theatre.

For additional access enquiries, please contact education@ikon-gallery.org

VENUE

Birmingham Hippodrome

Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB.

Image Credits

1. Balraj Khanna, Astral Dance (2001), Birmingham Hippodrome Safety Curtain. Photo by Andrew Judd 2. Balraj Khanna, Astral Dance (2001), (detail), Birmingham Hippodrome Safety Curtain. Photo by Andrew Judd

Exhibition 30.09.2026–21.02.2027

Balraj Khanna

LINES OF FLIGHT

Ikon presents Lines of Flight, the first major survey exhibition of British–Indian artist Balraj Khanna (1939–2024), bringing together more than 40 paintings made over six decades.

Event 29.09.2026 / 5.00pm–7.00pm

Exhibition Launch

Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight

Join us to celebrate the launch of Ikon’s new exhibition: Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight

News 12.10.2026

Exploring Balraj Khanna

With The Estate of Balraj Khanna

Kaushalia Khanna shares insights into preserving and researching the Balraj Khanna’s work and archive. The conversation explores Khanna’s six-decade career, recent discoveries, personal memories and future plans.

Events/Ikon Shop 14.11.2026 / 1.00pm–3.30pm

Upcycled Sari Wreath Workshop

With Pri Pri

Create a colourful decoration with Priya Velusami of Pri Pri in this hands-on workshop making a 10-inch upcycled fabric wreath.

Astral Dance Safety Curtain

Event Dates

Event Details

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