Ikon is dedicated to minimising its impact on the environment and we strive to make our operations and exhibitions as sustainable as possible. This Recycling Week (22 – 28 September) we asked Tess Radcliffe, Technician at Ikon how Ikon recycles and reuses materials and waste.

Ikon presents Resistant Forms, the first major survey of Guyanese-British artist Donald Locke (1 October 2025 – 22 February 2026).

Thread the Loom is a group exhibition celebrating the art of weaving. An AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU), was activated through a series of micro-residencies with West Midlands weavers. We caught up with Zoë Hillyard, Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Textile Design at BCU and Lara Gembarska, Student Weaving Support to ask them to reflect on their highlights.

Jessica Ostrowicz is Ikon’s Artist in Residence at HMP Spring Hill. James Latunji-Cockbill, Ikon’s Producer, Art in Prisons, interviews the artist about their creative practice.

Ikon and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) present a new public sculpture for Halesowen by Black Country artist Tom Hicks.

We caught up with Clare Langford, one of the West Midlands weavers activating an AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU) as part of Ikon’s exhibition Thread the Loom.

We caught up with Chantelle Folarin, one of the West Midlands weavers activating an AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU) as part of Ikon’s exhibition Thread the Loom.

Ikon is pleased to announce Harun Morrison as the gallery’s participating artist for Remember Nature 2025.

For over 10 years, Ikon has been working in partnership with Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust to deliver its work with artists and communities. A new publication, Building a Legacy (2025) gives an overview of the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust between 1997–2025.

Ikon is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Green CBE as Chair of the gallery’s Board of Trustees.

As Ikon’s Slow Boat concluded its journey to Stoke-on-Trent, we caught up with Nicola Shipley, Director, GRAIN Projects and Rosie Abbey, Ikon Youth Programme Coordinator.

The residency at Wigwell Lodge has offered me a rare kind of quiet – one that sharpens my attention to both visible and invisible movements in the landscape. It’s been a time of listening, walking and noticing subtle shifts in weather, wildlife and time.

Ikon presents Sunsets, Food and Friendship, an exhibition of young people’s photography focused on the importance of culture, heritage and identity in shaping a sense of self and belonging.

Ikon announces two new off-site artist residencies with Robert Zhao Renhu and Jessica Ostrowicz.

Ikon recently launched new exhibitions by artists Mahtab Hussain and Htein Lin and celebrated the arrival of the Cherry Blossoms in Oozells Square.

Ikon’s winter exhibition, Friends in Love and War – L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es, was visited by 15 Primary schools, 23 Secondary schools, 7 SEND schools and 19 University groups.

Ikon is pleased to announce Slow Boat’s visit to Stoke-on-Trent in partnership with GRAIN Projects. Taking place throughout April and May 2025, Slow Boat’s programme of activity involves artists and photographers, education partners and arts organisations, with a focus on engaging young people in North Staffordshire.

To celebrate the final weekend of Ikon’s exhibition Friends in Love and War – L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es, Birmingham-based Czech artist Tereza Bušková led the event Clipping the Ikon.

Ikon presents a major solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Htein Lin from Myanmar (20 March – 1 June 2025).

We are excited to announce Ikon is part of the Birmingham Light Festival! Join us on Friday 21 February as we light up Ikon – with free creative workshops and performances during the day (2-5pm) and a candle-lit, ceremonial ‘clipping’ of Ikon Gallery as the sun sets (5-7pm).

We would like to thank everyone who has visited Ikon Gallery this year – Ikon’s 60th anniversary – to experience art for free. Ikon remains committed to its core aims: to offer the very best in contemporary art to the region’s residents and visitors; to support local and international artists, both emerging and established in their careers; to stay relevant in a changing world, addressing important social concerns; and remaining free for all our visitors.

Ikon presents a solo exhibition, What Did You Want To See? by British artist Mahtab Hussain (20 March – 1 June 2025).

Ikon is pleased to announce an innovative new partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU) which enables the gallery to open on Tuesdays for a year (October 2024 – September 2025).