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The Ikon Gallery, an art gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, West Midlands.
It was founded by art collector Angus Skene and four artists from the Birmingham School of Art, David Prentice, Sylvani Merilion, Jesse Bruton and Robert Groves. The collection began after Skene bought Prentice's painting Kate and the Waterlilies in 1964, and the two started discussions about the lack of support for contemporary artists provided by Birmingham's existing artistic institutions
The name of the gallery was coined by Groves, who was interested in the icons of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The name was agreed by the other founders partly on the basis that it "divides beautifully geometrically and was splendid in all directions".
In the 1990s, property developers Argent bought a swathe of derelict land in central Birmingham with plans to transform it into a vibrant mixed-use quarter: Brindleyplace. Amongst the abandoned factories and warehouses, only one building of quality remained – the Grade ll listed former Oozells Street School.
At this time, the Ikon Gallery was occupying a small, found space in the city. With ambitions for expansion and a desire to bring contemporary art to the masses, they saw potential in the school to provide the cultural element of what was the largest mixed-use redevelopment project in the country.
Led by their inspirational director, Liz Ann MacGregor, the Ikon started fundraised raising to secure the former school as its new permanent home.
Levitt Bernstein Associates were commissioned by Argent to restore the building fabric. Stripping back the internal work while retaining as much of its Grade II listed charm as possible. The brief and design quickly developed, and soon after, Ikon Gallery received Lottery funding for the conversion project.
Artist Tania Kovats joined the team at an early stage to influence the design and feel of the building and ensure the spaces were suited to the needs of contemporary artists – crucial with the Ikon’s wish to attract the best in the world.
The most obvious manifestation of Tania’s involvement is the way the building sits on a slate plinth – making the gallery itself a work of art within the environment. Externally, all that remained was to restore the building to its former gothic glory, repairing and replacing damaged brickwork & stonework, and demolishing dilapidated extensions. The buildings damaged tower was rebuilt creating a recognisable landmark for Brindleyplace.
Information Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikon_Gallery
www.levittbernstein.co.uk/project-stories/ikon-gallery/
43606
The Ikon Gallery, an art gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, West Midlands.
It was founded by art collector Angus Skene and four artists from the Birmingham School of Art, David Prentice, Sylvani Merilion, Jesse Bruton and Robert Groves. The collection began after Skene bought Prentice's painting Kate and the Waterlilies in 1964, and the two started discussions about the lack of support for contemporary artists provided by Birmingham's existing artistic institutions
The name of the gallery was coined by Groves, who was interested in the icons of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The name was agreed by the other founders partly on the basis that it "divides beautifully geometrically and was splendid in all directions".
In the 1990s, property developers Argent bought a swathe of derelict land in central Birmingham with plans to transform it into a vibrant mixed-use quarter: Brindleyplace. Amongst the abandoned factories and warehouses, only one building of quality remained – the Grade ll listed former Oozells Street School.
At this time, the Ikon Gallery was occupying a small, found space in the city. With ambitions for expansion and a desire to bring contemporary art to the masses, they saw potential in the school to provide the cultural element of what was the largest mixed-use redevelopment project in the country.
Led by their inspirational director, Liz Ann MacGregor, the Ikon started fundraised raising to secure the former school as its new permanent home.
Levitt Bernstein Associates were commissioned by Argent to restore the building fabric. Stripping back the internal work while retaining as much of its Grade II listed charm as possible. The brief and design quickly developed, and soon after, Ikon Gallery received Lottery funding for the conversion project.
Artist Tania Kovats joined the team at an early stage to influence the design and feel of the building and ensure the spaces were suited to the needs of contemporary artists – crucial with the Ikon’s wish to attract the best in the world.
The most obvious manifestation of Tania’s involvement is the way the building sits on a slate plinth – making the gallery itself a work of art within the environment. Externally, all that remained was to restore the building to its former gothic glory, repairing and replacing damaged brickwork & stonework, and demolishing dilapidated extensions. The buildings damaged tower was rebuilt creating a recognisable landmark for Brindleyplace.
Information Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikon_Gallery
www.levittbernstein.co.uk/project-stories/ikon-gallery/