As we approach the end of 2022, we would like to thank everyone who has supported Ikon during the year. We remain committed to offering free experiences of art for all, including our exhibitions, off-site projects, talks, tours and workshops.

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon. “It started with a seemingly insignificant series of e-mail notifications. None of which I responded to. In that lack of response lay the catalyst for a decision to retrace steps and try to find or re-find the roots of what I do. It is no surprise that after 25 years as an educator, 100 miles an hour, week in week out I would feel a sense of loss.”

Take a look at Ikon Shop’s newly commissioned window illustration by Window Artists for our winter exhibition, Horror in the Modernist Block. Birmingham-based Window Artists take their inspiration from their love of the city’s brutalist architecture, as well as the natural world and how it intersects with the urban landscape.

Ikon announces its future exhibitions and education programmes for 2023. Find out what’s coming up!

Thinking back to the opening night of our Autumn exhibitions.

Ikon enters a new phase in its history as Jonathan Watkins, Director since 1999, has completed his time leading the gallery. During the coming period members of the current senior management team will take on new roles and responsibilities.

Today Jonathan Watkins steps down as Ikon Director. Thank you for your 23 years of service, for leading Ikon to where it is today and for your commitment to presenting the very best contemporary art. The impact of your dedication and leadership is felt by all at Ikon, the many artists you have supported and the much wider cultural community.

These unique prints by artist Farwa Moledina accompany her new work Women of Paradise (2022), currently on show in Ikon’s Tower Room.  

The team at Ikon Shop have also put together a selection of books and stationery inspired by the work of Edward Lear. Here are just a few!

Families spent time together making and experimenting with creative, hands-on activities inspired by Mayunkiki’s exhibition.

I had made it a policy from the beginning of the residency to never ask directly about anyone’s reason for being in Grendon. I had never googled them or tried to find any details about them outside of the prison either. For this reason it was easy to interject with certainty and also not react to the list of offences that had been shared. “Who am I to judge anyone here? You’ve been judged, by others…and yourselves. The present is more than the past for me and I prefer to move forward not back.”

Recently, Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) have been fortunate enough to join the artist Tom Hicks on photo walks around Black Country areas. Find out how they got on.

For one day, 31 d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists staged Dada inspired interventions in museums and galleries across the Plus Tate network as part of We Are Invisible We Are Visible (WAIWAV). British artist Aaron Williamson performed Hiding in 3D at Ikon. Find out more.

These beautiful limited edition artworks accompany Ikon’s current exhibition by Nigerian artist Abdulrazaq Awofeso. Available in two designs, in a limited edition of 15, each artwork is forged in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter by A Wardle & Co.

Some of the highlights from The Migrant Festival 2022 (14-17 July). The festival celebrated the contribution made by refugees and migrants to Birmingham and the UK, and highlighted the migrant stories of artists in Ikon’s programme, including Abdulrazaq Awofeso and Osman Yousefzada.

Over the last few months, IYP collaborated with artist Betsy Bradley and designer Laura Jaunzems to reimagine Slow Boat as an alternative art school.

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon. “George, here is your matcha tea with soya.” I looked up from my screen and walked over to the counter. “Lovely, thanks Sonia.” My regular visits seemed to coincide with Sonia’s shifts and, as I arrived at the counter, she smiled. “You’re always welcome.”

Ikon Youth Programme have been very busy recently including working on the re-design of Slow Boat, workshops at Birmingham School of Jewellery and lots more!

Ikon’s activity packs (Key Stages 1 – 4) are designed for creative learning at school or home. Inspired by Hew Locke’s Foreign Exchange, presented by Birmingham 2022 Festival.

Families created colourful hanging fruit paper garlands in response to the symbolic fruits and use of illusionism in Carlo Crivelli’s paintings.

Ikon’s activity packs (Key Stages 1 – 3) are designed for creative learning at school or home. Inspired by Ikon’s exhibitions by Carlo Crivelli.

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon.   “What is a ‘good’ man? That’s still the question…”

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.

Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners and detainees, features a monthly column by Nick London (a pseudonym) giving insight into the therapy undertaken at HMP Grendon. The latest issue demonstrates how Dean Kelland’s artist residency supports therapeutic practice at the prison