Ikon for Artists aims to support artists suffering through lockdown.
On Monday 17th May Ikon is due to reopen after lockdown, devoting its galleries to an exhibition of artworks for sale by over 250 Birmingham artists. Submitted through an open call, work in a range of media is presented both in the gallery and on Ikon’s website. 100% of the proceeds from artwork sales go directly to the artists.
Formed in response to Covid-19, Ikon for Artists aims to support artists whose income has been impacted by the pandemic:
The Birmingham art scene has been very shaken. The locked down days are most difficult for artists and other freelancers who 
depend on work generated by local and regional arts venues. At Ikon we are doing our best to be practically helpful. For example, we are now in the process of organising an unprecedented selling exhibition in May, encouraging visitors to dig deep into their pockets. A city like Birmingham needs a thriving art scene and such investment in the futures of local practitioners will benefit everyone. Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director.
In December 2020 Ikon launched an open call, inviting Birmingham-based artists to submit one artwork with a value of up to £1,000. There was no curatorial selection process and no submission fee. Guidelines required participants to demonstrate they have been practising full-time or part-time as an artist in Birmingham, and submissions were welcomed in a range of media including painting, drawing, photography, textiles, sculpture and video. The works are exhibited in the order applications were received.
Online booking for tickets to visit Ikon for Artists opens on Friday 9th April and a full list of works will be posted online from Tuesday 4th May.
Ikon for Artists launches with a digital event with Joe Lycett, comedian and participating artist. These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things sees Lycett share his ten favourite works of art with Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director.
For more details visit ikon-gallery.org
