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Hew Locke & Ikon

From 14 June
Victoria Square, Birmingham

Birmingham’s city-centre sculpture of Queen Victoria is reimagined by acclaimed Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke for the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

Originally unveiled in 1901, Sir Thomas Brock’s marble figure of Queen Victoria was then recast in bronze by William Bloye and members of Birmingham School of Art in 1951. Locke’s vision is to create “an object of veneration, leading a battalion of other statues to represent the home nation throughout the Empire.”

Locke’s interest in the power of statues originates from his childhood in Guyana where he passed a sculpture of Queen Victoria every day on the way to school. He has been reimagining historical statues for twenty years. Commissioned by Ikon, this is Locke’s first temporary public sculpture.

Cultural Education

Free Activity Packs (Key Stages 1-4) from April 2022

Tours and Workshops from June 2022

Schools Showcase - 20 - 31 July.

Website: ikon-gallery.org

Generously supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Henry Moore Foundation and the Ikon Investment Fund.

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