National art critic Laura Cumming recently shared her top 10 art experiences of 2009 and featured Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery twice.
Ikon’s exhibition of vignettes by British wood engraver Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) was Cumming’s pick for no. 5. On display through April and May, the exhibition proved popular amongst other reviewers including Tom Lubbock (The Independent) and Adrian Searle (The Guardian). Searle described the works as captivating; ‘sometimes you smirk and laugh – then the next image has you mesmerised.’
Our exhibition of paintings by Carmen Herrera in August/September was Cumming’no. 8; she describes the work of the 94-year-old Cuban painter as ‘radiant abstractions’ and in her review in August referred to Herrera as ‘..the discovery of the year – of the decade.’
Flying the flag for galleries and museums outside the capital, Ikon was one of only two non-London venues listed, underpinning our reputation beyond Birmingham as well as within the city. Others on Cumming’s list are the National Gallery (twice), Hayward Gallery (twice), Royal Academy, British Museum, Tate Modern, Fruitmarket Edinburgh and Camden Arts Centre.
Laura Cumming’s top ten list can be seen here