Where is the IKON Gallery?

The IKON Gallery is at 1 Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2HS

The Ikon Art Gallery - 9th April 2023. Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

In brief

The neo-gothic Grade II listed building that is home to the Ikon Art Gallery was formerly a Boarding School. The building, designed by John Henry Chamberlain, was built in 1877.

As well as being known across the world for its contemporary art, The Ikon Art Gallery is also an educational charity and is active in encouraging public engagement with contemporary art. 

If you are unable to visit the Gallery, take a look at this archive of impressive work and events it has hosted HERE.  

Pink Blossom in Oozells Square - 16th March 2024. Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Pink cherry blossom in Oozells Square outside of the IKON Gallery can be seen each spring between February and April.

Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

The former board school is of course the oldest building in the square.

IKON Gallery (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Inside is a modern glass lift and stairs to reach the galleries on the 1st and 2nd floors.

Modern stairs near the lift inside of the IKON Gallery (November 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of the IKON Gallery

The IKON Gallery was founded in 1965, but only moved to it's present location in 1997.

The Gallery was founded by four artists from the Birmingham School of Art, David Prentice, Sylvani Merilion, Jesse Bruton and Robert Groves and was originally located in the 1960s Bull Ring Shopping Centre.

By 1978, the artists moved the gallery to a former carpet shop on John Bright Street close to the Alexandra Theatre.

In 1997, the gallery finally re-located to Oozells Square.

 

History of the building

This spectacular building was built in 1878 for the Birmingham Boarding School by Chamberlain and Martin. It was altered by the same practice in 1898.

Paul Clarke of Levitt Bernstein oversaw the refurbishment work needed to turn the building into a Gallery in 1997.

The fomer Oozells Street School in December 1991 from the Quayside Tower. Image by Patrick Neame | Birmingham Mail

 

George Dixon Higher Grade School

The building was occupied by George Dixon Higher Grade School from 1888, when they moved into the Oozells Street Board School building.

The school moved out in 1906, when they relocated to a purpose built building on City Road in Edgbaston.

Blue plaque for George Dixon (August 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Birmingham Civic Society put up a blue plaque for George Dixon (1820 - 1898) in 2020 on the building now occupied by the IKON Gallery.

Blue plaque for George Dixon (August 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Exhibitions held at The Ikon Gallery 

Over the years there have been some stunning and fascinating contemporary art displayed at exhibitions held at the IKON Gallery.

For example, in the autumn of 2019 there was an exhibition of Barry Flanagan bronze sculptures. There was even one outside in Oozells Square at the time.

Bronze hare by Barry Flanagan at IKON Gallery (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Mali Morris Calling was on from September to December 2023.

Mali Morris Calling at IKON Gallery (September 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

There was a trail of painted owls around Birmingham from the summer of 2015 for 10 weeks. Before being sold at an auction for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Outside of the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square at the time was Midnight Moths by the artist Alyn Smith, it was sponsored by Harrow Green.

Midnight Moths (by artist Alyn Smith) outside of IKON Gallery (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

There was a trail of painted bears around Birmingham and the West Midlands from the summer of 2017 for 10 weeks. Before being sold at an auction for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Outside of the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square at the time was The Ink Detective was by the artist Mr A Singh, the sponsor was Deloitte.

The Ink Detective (by artist Mr A Singh) outside of IKON Gallery (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Key to the City Birmingham 2022

The IKON Gallery was one of the locations where you can use your Key to the City. At the time you were able to get the key from Birmingham New Street Station concourse during the summer of 2022. Some people were nominated and gifted the key at the time.

Key to the City at the IKON Gallery (June 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contacts and further details

B1 2HS

View Ikon Art Gallery on Birmingham map HERE.

www.ikon-gallery.org