Ikon Gallery

The Ikon as it is known locally in Birmingham had its first incarnation in 1964 and was located in a small kiosk in Birmingham’s then recently redeveloped Bull Ring. Its instigator Angus Skene recruited four artists two of whom were David Prentice and Trevor Denning, today well known and respected painters. It started as a co-operative of artist-volunteers to challenge a conservative local art world. Due to expiring leases the gallery relocated twice before coming to rest in its present location in 1997. It can be found in a neo-gothic former school building in Oozells Street in the recently developed Brindley Place area located in Birmingham’s central premier restaurant quarter. It has a satellite location in the Digbeth district opened in 2006. The many dozens of solo exhibitions and group showing have included such names as Barrie Cook, John Copnall, Sean Scully, John Salt, Bert Irvin, Richard Deacon, Ana Maria Pacheco and Lee Grandjean.