What are the odds? Ikon Creative Health

What are the odds? Ikon Creative Health is an off-site exhibition, at the Library of Birmingham (21 January until 27 June 2026), which explores the role of art in supporting health and care systems.

The exhibition is co-curated by Regan McDonald, Ikon’s Public Health Research Officer, and Linzi Stauvers, Ikon’s Artistic Director (Education). We caught up with Regan to find out more about his role and the exhibition.

Introduce yourself and how you are involved with the exhibition?

I’m Regan McDonald, Public Health Research Officer at Ikon Gallery, and I’m thrilled to be co-curating What Are the Odds?, opening at the Library of Birmingham in January 2026.

My role explores how creativity supports wellbeing, as well as how it helps us better understand, shape, and question the places and experiences of everyday life. I believe that creativity, in all its forms, is essential not only to our health as individuals and communities, but also to the systems that support our care and wellbeing.

Tell us more about the exhibition?

What Are the Odds? brings together works by several artists exploring a wide range of topics — from how light fundamentally affects the everyday lives and health of prisoners and prison staff, to how we can work to reclaim health narratives by thinking about the places we live, work, and play in.

Visitors can expect immersive installations, striking visual works, and opportunities to reflect on the many ways we experience health, both individually and collectively.

With a playful 1970s-inspired identity designed by Birmingham artist Foka Wolf, the exhibition takes visitors on a ‘game of life’ journey through institutions that shape our lives. Featuring photography, installation and community-led projects, artists including Ayesha Jones, Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora, Vic Moyosola, Sadie Barnett, Foka Wolf, Sally Butcher and Ikon’s artist in residence at HMP Birmingham Niki Gandy use creative methods to challenge barriers and advocate for health justice.

Where does the title What are the odds? come from?

The title asks a simple question in two ways: what are the odds of any one of these experiences affecting you, or someone you know. And what are the odds of a contemporary art gallery playing an increasingly important role in the health and care services we encounter throughout our lives.

Join us at the Library of Birmingham for an exhibition that challenges perspectives and celebrates the beauty of uncertainty.

What are the odds? Ikon Creative Health is on at the Library of Birmingham from 21 January until 27 June 2026. Exhibition launch: Tuesday 20 January, 4.30-6.30pm. All welcome.