Artist John Newling and writer Alys Fowler exchange letters on their daily walks, through residential areas and open spaces in Nottingham and Birmingham. Reflecting on the pattern language of these environs and their own behaviours, some happy accidents and moments of connection occur.

By James Latunji-Cockbill, Producer – Art at HMP Grendon

While the gallery is temporarily closed, we continue to share our exhibitions and activities via our digital channels. Please continue to visit Ikon’s website and engage with us via social media.

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon.   “You forget where you are and feel normal for three hours.”

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon.   “Elvis always wins…and you should know that!”

Ikon is delighted to announce the appointment of Melanie Pocock as Curator.

Join us for our annual Winter Craft Market on Thursday 12 December, 5.30-8.30pm, expanded over both floors of the gallery. Take the opportunity to meet a range of local independent makers, with artisan food and drink alongside stalls selling jewellery, gifts, cards and books plus music from the Diskery and 20% off in Ikon Shop.

Each year Koestler Arts award and give feedback to over 3000 people across 50 categories for submitting artwork. This year there were over 60 entries from HMP Grendon, including painting, drawing, poetry and mixed media.

Ikon is delighted to announce plans for 2020-21 including exhibitions, off-site projects and events.

Did you know Cass Art sponsor our Learning Programme? Watch this video to see our Family Team use Cass Art materials to make Barry Flanagan inspired leaping hares. Roll and cut your own leaping hares!

Claudia Losi’s Being There includes this site-specific performance along Birmingham’s canals.

In the early 1970s, Carlyle Reedy, Paul Burwell and David Toop were invited to perform in Flanagan’s exhibition at the Rowan Gallery, London, though little remains of this improvised performance as it was not recorded or filmed. For Ikon, Toop explores the ghostliness of such events, disinterring memories from virtually nothing – a photograph, voices of living witnesses (if they can be persuaded) or perhaps instruments and gestures used over 45 years ago.

The latest post by Dean Kelland, Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon. “Somewhere in my drawer upstairs I have an original Frank Sidebottom badge that she had given me years ago.”

Ikon is delighted to announce winning the inaugural £125,000 Ampersand Foundation Award, which will enable the gallery to realise its dream of staging an exhibition of works by the 15th century master Carlo Crivelli. The Trustees of the National Gallery in London have agreed to lend four masterpieces by Crivelli for the exhibition.

Jo Melvin, Director of The Estate of Barry Flanagan, discusses Flanagan’s large bronze sculpture Monument (1966).

Jo Melvin, Director of The Estate of Barry Flanagan, discusses light as sculptural practice in Flanagan’s work.

Meryl McMaster As Immense as the Sky 4 December 2019 – 23 February 2020

Many of Barry Flanagan’s bronze sculptures have been, and still are, cast at AB Fine Art. Foundry Technician Chloë walks through the processes involved in making bronze sculptures, from the initial wax casting stage to the final stages of patination.

Barry Flanagan 18 September — 24 November 2019

Stuart Whipps The Kipper and The Corpse 11 September — 15 September 2019

Get monthly updates on activity surrounding the new three year artist residency at HMP Grendon.

Ikon’s current exhibition The Aerodrome is dedicated to the memory of Michael Stanley, Curator of Ikon before becoming Director of Milton Keynes Gallery and then Modern Art Oxford, who died tragically in 2012. The exhibition features over 40 artists Stanley worked with, all of whom held him in great affection.

Ikon’s current exhibition The Aerodrome is dedicated to the memory of Michael Stanley, Curator of Ikon before becoming Director of Milton Keynes Gallery and then Modern Art Oxford, who died tragically in 2012. The exhibition features over 40 artists Stanley worked with, all of whom held him in great affection.

Ikon’s current exhibition The Aerodrome is dedicated to the memory of Michael Stanley, Curator of Ikon before becoming Director of Milton Keynes Gallery and then Modern Art Oxford, who died tragically in 2012. The exhibition features over 40 artists Stanley worked with, all of whom held him in great affection.