Ceramics Studio: IYP x Modern Clay

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) members take over the Break the Mould Ceramics Studio.

Drop in and meet artists Laurie Ramsell, Joanne Masding, and IYP members. Spend time in the studio exploring clay, conversation, and what it means to Break the Mould. This is a great opportunity to connect with the Youth Programme and discover more about who IYP are and what they do.

Open Studio Sessions
Throughout this takeover, IYP Members will be working independently in the space. Visitors are welcome to observe, ask questions, and start conversations about clay, ceramics, art, and anything in between. These sessions are informal, relaxed, and led by IYPs own art practices and curiosity.

Tuesday 4 August, 2-5pm with Laurie Ramsell
Tuesday 11 August, 2-5pm with Laurie Ramsell

Public Workshop Sessions
On selected days, IYP Members will host clay activities for visitors. One these days IYP will offer a simple and open-ended prompt inspired by their own studio practices. Inviting you alongside them to experiment, make, and respond to the ideas behind their work. We strongly encourage 16-21 yr olds and families to come along on these days to get involved, and to find out more about IYP and our current programme.

Thursday 6 August, 2-5pm with Jo Masding
Thursday 13 August, 2-5pm with Laurie Ramsell and Jo Masding

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) is a youth-led collective of emerging artists, designers, writers, photographers, policy makers and earth scientists (16–21yrs). We co-lead programming, exhibitions and events, working with regional and national artists through workshops, shared resource and ongoing knowledge exchange. Ikon Youth Programme is funded by Freelands Foundation.

Modern Clay is an artist-led, cooperative ceramic studio based in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Laurie Ramsell is a cross-disciplinary artist who uses biological materials to investigate what it means to be human in an age of genetic modification and disruptive technologies.

Joanne Masding is an artist who has a sculptural practice, working in clay, plastics, metals, as well as using text and image as materials for making objects. Masding makes work to think about production and making, and how objects are absorbed by bodies and through technological interfaces.

This exhibition is generously supported by Jerwood Foundation, Freelands Foundation and ai. gallery.

Image Credits: Courtesy of Ikon Gallery 2026