1. art and entertainment
2. visual art and design
3. art museums and galleries

Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS
0121 248 0708 / www.ikon-gallery.org
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm / free entry
Events Diary
May – July 2015
All events take place at Ikon Gallery unless otherwise stated
Exhibition Opening
Wednesday 13 May, 6–8pm – FREE
Join Ikon to celebrate the opening of the new Pavel Büchler exhibition – (Honest) Work.
Pay bar. We also launch Black Country Voyages 2015 with lead artist Jacques Nimki.
Talks and Tours
Spotlight Tours
Every Friday, 1pm and Sunday, 3pm – FREE
Join a member of Ikon’s staff team for a 15 minute spotlight tour looking at a key work in
the exhibition. No need to book, meet in Ikon foyer.
Artists’ Talk
Outrider: Lines and Intersections
Friday 22 May, 6.30–8pm – FREE
Artists Ron Haseldon, Dr Cath Keay and Dr Sally Payen discuss their participation in
Outrider, a series of artists’ commissions exploring the Alfred Watkins collection of
photographs and books about beekeeping held by Hereford Library. Initiated by Salt
Road, a not-for-profit artist led organisation based in the West Midlands, Outrider tours
to Winterbourne House and Gardens, Birmingham (25 March – 6 May) and Haden Hill
House Museum, Sandwell (7 May – 31 August). Places are free but should be booked.
Please visit www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
www.saltroad.org.uk
Seen/Unseen Tours
Thursday 28 May, 1pm – FREE
Thursday 25 June, 1pm – FREE
Jacques Nimki leads a 15 minute introductory tour of his Seen/Unseen installation
throughout Ikon Gallery. No need to book, meet in Ikon foyer.
Artist’s Talk – Pavel Büchler
Wednesday 24 June, 6.30-8pm – FREE
Join artist Pavel Büchler as he discusses his life and work, including the inspiration
behind his current Ikon exhibition. This event commences with a consideration of
Büchler’s work by Silvia Ziranek, (SZ ON) PB, BRIEFLY, FOR PB. Places are free but should
be booked. Visit www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
Audio Described Introductory Tour
Sunday 12 July, 1–2pm – FREE
Join us for an informal audio described introduction to Ikon’s current exhibition by Pavel
Büchler with a focus on two key works. Suitable for blind and partially sighted visitors
and their friends and family. Places are free but should be booked. Please visit
www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
Afternoon Tea and BSL Tour
Sunday 12 July, 2.30–4.30pm – £4 per person
An informal exhibition tour, followed by tea and cake courtesy of ChangeKitchen. The
tour includes British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation. Suitable for Deaf visitors and
their friends and family and a fitted induction loop is available. Booking essential, visit
www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711.
www.changekitchen.co.uk
Workshops and Courses
Understanding Art: Art and Language
£20 for all four sessions; £16 concessions: students, unwaged, 60+
A four-part course exploring varied ways language, text and literature are used to inspire
and create art. Starting at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, we look at the collection
through a literary lens before encountering the Epstein archive and work made by Bob
and Roberta Smith at The New Art Gallery Walsall. Pop Art and work by artists involved in
the BLK Art Group during the 1980s are the topics at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and
finally, at Ikon, we examine the work of Czech artist Pavel Büchler involving quotations
from Kafka, Beckett and Wittgenstein. Booking essential. Visit www.ikon-gallery.org to
book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711.
Thursday 4 June, 2–3pm
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Thursday 11 June, 2–3pm
The New Art Gallery Walsall
Thursday 18 June, 2–3pm
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Thursday 25 June, 2–3pm
Ikon Gallery
Letterpress Masterclass
Saturday 20 June, 11am–4pm – £45 per person
£35 concessions: students, unwaged, 60+
An opportunity to learn letterpress printing techniques at Winterbourne House with
expert tuition. Starting at Ikon this one day intensive course relates to the work of Pavel
Büchler and is suitable for adults, students and teachers of art. All materials are
provided. Places are limited, booking essential. Visit www.ikon-gallery.org to book
online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711. www.winterbourne.org.uk
Saturday Studio
Saturday 27 June, 2–4.30pm
£6 per person*
Join us for our new regular practical session devised especially for adults. Explore
creative approaches to making art in response to Ikon’s current exhibition by Pavel
Büchler. An informal opportunity for those wanting to develop a portfolio or take part in a
fun afternoon of making. Places are limited and booking is essential. Visit www.ikongallery.org to book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711. *Cost includes
refreshments and materials.
Art Bus
Art Bus
Thursday 14 May, 5–9pm – FREE
As part of Museums at Night 2015, Art Bus is bigger than ever. Seven Birmingham art
galleries – Ikon, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, RBSA Gallery, mac Birmingham,
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Eastside Projects and The Parkside Gallery,
Birmingham City University – all stay open late with free gallery tours and refreshments.
Visit www.ikon-gallery.org for an Art Bus timetable.
Literature
Book Club
Ikon’s Book Club explores The Castle by Franz Kafka in the light of Pavel Büchler’s
exhibition. Each session takes place in the gallery and is led by an expert guest. The
Castle is available at a special price from Ikon Shop. Places are limited and booking is
essential. Visit www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711.
Tuesday 9 June, 6.30–8pm – £4 per person
Led by William J Dodd, Emeritus Professor of Modern German Studies, University of
Birmingham.
Tuesday 7 July, 6.30–8pm – £4 per person
Led by Jamie Sutcliffe, artist, writer and publisher, and focuses on the ‘artist’s book’ as a
medium, drawing widely upon examples of 20th century art and experimental literature.
Schools Events
4MAT Network Meeting for Midlands Art Teachers
Thursday 21 May, 5–7pm – FREE
4MAT is the regional teachers’ network that meets regularly, providing opportunities to
share advice, expertise and experience whilst making new connections with colleagues
from across the region. Places are free but should be booked. Visit www.ikon-gallery.org
to book online or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
Family Events
Creative Workshops
Activities aimed at specific age groups
Parent and toddler mornings
Tuesday 19 May, 10–11am
Friday 19 June, 10–11am*
Tuesday 7 July, 10–11am
£4 per child, payable in advance
This gallery-based session is for parents with toddlers aged 0–3 years. Places are
limited, please visit www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248
0711. *Part of Children’s Art Week 2015.
Half Term Family Workshops
Thursday 28 May, 10.30am–12pm (3–5yrs)
Friday 29 May, 10.30am–12pm (3–5yrs)
Friday 29 May, 2-4pm (6yrs+, younger siblings welcome)
£4 per child, payable in advance
Join Ikon during the school holidays for fun creative workshops exploring words and
objects. Places are limited, please visit www.ikon-gallery.org to book online or call Ikon
Shop on 0121 248 0711.
Free drop-in activities
For all ages. No need to book, stay for as long as you like
Family Saturdays
Saturday 6 June, 1–4pm – FREE
In response to the Pavel Büchler exhibition
Saturday 4 July, 1–4pm – FREE
In response to Seen/Unseen
Open to all ages (adults very welcome), these afternoons of creative activities engage,
challenge and delight. Explore the current exhibitions and make original artwork.
Events for Young People
Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) is a group of young people, aged 16–21 years old, who share
an interest in visual art. Meeting regularly at Ikon, participants are encouraged to devise
creative projects, establish links with other youth groups and share their opinions about
a range of topics. www.ikon-gallery.org/iyp
Open Social
Friday 26 June, 6.30–9pm – FREE
A chance for young people to visit the exhibitions and enjoy workshops and discussions
produced in collaboration with digital artists from Salt Road. Booking is essential,
please email Claire Bird at c.bird@ikon-gallery.org or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
Black Country Voyages
Black Country Voyages (2014–2017) is an art programme taking place on board a canal
boat, generously lent by Sandwell Council. For 2015, Jacques Nimki is the lead artist for
Black Country Voyages, transforming the boat into The Black Apotheca – a floating
laboratory of herbal concoctions derived from local plants, fermenting slowly over time,
housed in glass, reflecting light and colour. It showcases drawings, recipes and objects,
all relating to the business of apothecaries, plus a collection of lozenges, cordials,
country wines, sorbets and teas available for consumption at selected events. During the
summer Nimki and the Ikon Youth Programme host workshops along the canal network
for visitors to interact with Black Country Voyages – for more information please visit
www.blackcountryvoyages.org or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
Black Country Voyages is organised in partnership with the Canal & River Trust.
Facebook: blackcountryvoyages Twitter: @bcvoyages #blackcountryvoyages
If you are interested in joining the Ikon Youth Programme please contact Claire Bird by
email c.bird@ikon-gallery.org or call Ikon on 0121 248 0708
Associated events
Birmingham Canal Navigations Society
Summer Boat Gathering
Saturday 16 May, 12–4pm – FREE
Titford Pump House, Engine Street, off Tat Bank Road, Oldbury B69 4NL
The annual BCNS rally takes place at the historic Titford Pump House with stalls,
refreshments and boat trips. Take part in creative activities and celebrate the launch of
Jacques Nimki as lead artist for Black Country Voyages 2015. No need to book, just drop
in.
International Festival of Glass
Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May
10am–5pm – FREE
Red House Glass Cone, High Street, Stourbridge DY8 4AZ
Black Country Voyages joins the International Glass Festival, with Jacques Nimki and
members of the IYP leading practical workshops. These sessions are suitable for ages 6
and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are free but booking is
essential. For more information please contact Julie Edmonds on 01384 815571 or The
Red House Glass Cone on 01384 811280.
Longwood Boat Club Canal Festival
Saturday 13 June, 11am–5pm – FREE
Rushall Top Lock, Aldridge Road, Walsall WS4 2JS
Visit Black Country Voyages at the Longwood Boat Club for stalls, refreshments and
entertainment.
Brownhills Community Festival
Sunday 28 June, 10am–4pm – FREE
Canalside, Silver Street, Brownhills WS8 6DZ
Join Black Country Voyages at the Brownhills Canal Festival and enjoy music, crafts and
stalls.
Kings Norton Junction Festival
Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July, 10am–4pm – FREE
Kings Norton playing fields and village green, Pershore Road South, Kings Norton B30
3EJ
Black Country Voyages tours to Birmingham for a one-off event in Kings Norton with boat
rides, local walks, food and refreshments. Organised by the Worcester–Birmingham &
Droitwich Canals Society.
Note to Editors:
1.
Ikon is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue situated in central Birmingham.
Established in 1964 by a group of artists, Ikon is an educational charity and works to encourage
public engagement with contemporary art through exhibiting new work in a context of debate
and participation. The gallery programme features artists from around the world and a variety of
media is represented, including sound, film, mixed media, photography, painting, sculpture and
installation. Ikon’s off-site programme develops dynamic relationships between art, artists and
audiences outside the gallery. Projects vary enormously in scale, duration and location,
challenging expectations of where art can be seen and by whom. Education is at the heart of
Ikon’s activities, stimulating public interest in and understanding of contemporary visual art.
Through a variety of talks, tours, workshops and seminars, Ikon’s Learning Team aims to build
dynamic relationships with audiences, enabling visitors to engage with, discuss and reflect on
contemporary art.
2.
Ikon is open Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am - 5pm. Admission is free.
3.
For the latest news and events follow @ikongallery on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
4.
Ikon Gallery is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and Birmingham City
Council.
5.
For more information and high-res images and to request an interview with the artist please
contact Rebecca Small or Emily Luxford at Ikon on 0121 248 0708 or email r.small@ikongallery.org or e.luxford@ikon-gallery.org
Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS
0121 248 0708 / www.ikon-gallery.org
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm / free entry
Ikon Gallery Limited trading as Ikon. Registered charity no. 528892