At Ikon, we offer a number of student placements each year across departments.

A selection of works by men from HMP Grendon went on display at Vibin’s a restaurant in Buckingham, a town just 10 miles from the prison. The opening of the exhibition coincided with the fundraising event of Friends of Grendon, a charity led by professor David Wilson.

Art at HMP Grendon, the second exhibition of the prisoners’ artwork, was organised by the men themselves under the supervision of Edmund Clark. Over 50 invited artists, curators, writers and other interested guests headed to the conference centre of the prison to meet the inmates and discuss their art on what has become an important day in the calendar of the prison. One of the prisoners, Gavin, had this to say:

HMP Grendon inmate Tom talks about his passion for poetry. His poem Guiltfoot Ron (below) received the Tim Robertson Platinum Award at the Koestler Awards 2016.

25 of the many artworks submitted by prisoners from HMP Grendon for the Koestler Trust annual arts award have received awards or commendations, more than doubling the success in the 2015 awards. This includes 15 commendations, 4 Bronze Awards (£20 cash prize), 3 Silver Awards (£40 cash prize), two Gold Awards (£60 cash prize) for a mixed media piece Still Life for a Still Life and sculpture Group Therapy (photo above), and one Tim Robertson Platinum Award (£100 cash prize) for a poem entitled Guiltfoot Ron. Congratulations to the artists!

Two weeks ago Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) were given the opportunity to construct Mahtab Hussain’s installation, Mitti Ka Ghar – a scaled replica of a traditional Pakistani clay house.

Edmund Clark in conversation with Jonathan Watkins.

Read more about Mahtab Hussain, the lead artist for the Ikon’s Black Country Voyages 2016, converting Ikon’s canal boat into a vehicle for The Auspicious Journey.

The latest post from Mahtab Mahtab Hussain, The Auspicious Journey.    

The latest post from Mahtab Mahtab Hussain, The Auspicious Journey.

The latest post from Mahtab Mahtab Hussain, The Auspicious Journey.  

Read more about Mahtab Hussain, the lead artist for the Ikon’s Black Country Voyages 2016, converting Ikon’s canal boat into a vehicle for The Auspicious Journey.

On 20 August, IYP were invited to visit the Sidney Nolan Trust for a day trip at The Rodd in Presteigne, Wales.

Read Pippa Davis, Ikon Youth Programme member thoughts on Patrick Killoran’s installation, Observation Deck (Birmingham).

We are delighted to announce our new twelve month partnership with Cass Art – the UK’s leading independent art supplies retailer – who are generously supporting Ikon’s Family Saturdays and Art Explorer Fridays by providing high quality art materials for our visitors.

Dan Flavin’s work has completely transformed the gallery spaces here at Ikon Gallery. To accompany the exhibition Ikon Shop are stocking some stylish bags and badges.

By Saffiyah Khan, Ikon Youth Programme member

Read more about the event which celebrated the start of the plan to re-open the Bradley Locks and allowed non boaters to sign up and join boat owners on their trip.

A very special Instameet took place on 5 March 2016 in collaboration with Ikon, where 50 members of the IGersBirmingham community descended on Balsall Heath.

Jacques Nimki’s final weekend on the boat.

Read more about Ikon Youth Programme member Carmen’s review on Dinh Q. Lê, Janet Mendelsohn and Kelly Mark exhibitions.

Plinth are currently in the process of transforming an untouched Georgian house, dating back to 1710, opposite the British Museum into a unique pop-up space – part home, part gallery.

Christmas is upon us and we are feeling festive! To celebrate, Ikon Shop is opening seven days a week until Christmas (usually closed on Mondays) or you can shop online.

12 artworks by prisoners from HMP Grendon have received the Koestler Trust annual arts awards or commendations. This includes 8 commendations, 1 first-time entrant award (£25 cash prize), 1 Bronze Award (£20 cash prize), 1 Silver Award (£40 cash prize) and 1 Sir Hugh Casson Gold Award (£60 cash prize) for a painted portrait Love and Life (pictured above). Congratulations to the artists!