Ikon presents Locations, an ongoing No11 Arts research and learning programme exploring how older people connect with the places where they live, their memories of those places, and their communities.

Commissioned by Birmingham City Council’s Older People Team, No11 Arts brought its network of Local Arts Forums (LAFs) together with artists and older residents across five Birmingham neighbourhoods: Kingstanding, Alum Rock, Sparkbrook, Aston and Weoley Castle.

Through creative workshops, participants shared memories, experiences and ideas about how their neighbourhoods have changed. The resulting works span drawing, painting, embroidery, collage, clay, print and craft, reflecting both the pleasures and challenges of local life.

The exhibition includes:

• Drawings and craftwork recalling favourite places and memories in Kingstanding, with artist Claire Witcomb
• Paintings, embroideries, drawings and clay reliefs exploring Alum Rock, with artist Sajida Asif
• Rangolis created as traditional welcoming collages for shop doorways on Alum Rock Road, with artist Ranbir Kaur
• Collaged roundels exploring the joys and challenges of living in Sparkbrook, with artist Shameem Akhtar
• A printed tablecloth and embroidered banner welcoming people to Sparkbrook, with artist Claire Witcomb
• Cardboard panoramas and embroideries depicting Aston’s streets and landmarks, with artists Shal Gul and Gurminder Sehint
• A booklet remembering much-loved community centres in Aston that are no longer there, with artist Amara Lawrence
• A banner celebrating what people value about living in Weoley Castle, with artist Jen Dixon

Together, these works offer a collective portrait of Birmingham through the eyes, memories and experiences of its older residents, celebrating local identity, community and the changing nature of place.

Locations has been organised by No11 Arts with support from Birmingham Settlement, Saheli Hub, Arts in the Yard, Ashiana Community Project, Arts Forum Selly Oak, Active Arts Erdington Arts Forum, Azadi Trust, Go Women Alliance CIC, Grosvenor Studio and New Hope Global and has been funded by Birmingham City Council Public Health.

Launch event
Wednesday 28 October, 11am-1pm
Free, no need to book 

This event includes an opportunity to meet project participants, plus refreshments.