Ian Kirkpatrick’s vibrant and dynamic art is set to illuminate the winter season at the Harley Gallery.
The new exhibition ICONOCLASH, by Ian Kirkpatrick, will be showcased by the Harley Foundation, on the Welbeck estate, from 26th October until 5th January. This free exhibition presents a fusion of global events, video games, and ancient artefacts in larger-than-life artworks that reveal darker narratives about the modern world.
Acclaimed British-Canadian artist Ian Kirkpatrick draws on symbols from a wide range of sources, including cartoons and cave art, to create his intricate and layered pieces. These familiar icons are remixed to explore the complexities of contemporary life, reflecting Kirkpatrick’s search for meaning in an increasingly uncertain world.
The exhibition will feature large-scale sculptures, enormous quilted wall hangings, and digital artworks transformed into embroideries. Beneath the kaleidoscopic colours and striking graphics, visitors will discover powerful stories of migration, war, climate change, and consumerism, with each piece prompting a reconsideration of the symbols that define our world.
Since 2017, Kirkpatrick has worked extensively in the public sphere, creating large-scale murals and sculptures for high-profile clients, including the London 2012 Olympics, the Tour de France, and the Oxford Museum of Natural History. His recent work includes a massive mural in Millennium Square, Leeds, and an eight-metre-tall brass mural for Cunard’s latest cruise ship, the Queen Anne.
Supported by Arts Council England, ICONOCLASH invites visitors of all ages to engage with colourful, playful artworks filled with infographics, emojis, and modern hieroglyphs.
In addition to the exhibition, Ian Kirkpatrick will be running a children’s craft workshop on Saturday 16th November and giving a gallery talk on Friday 29th November. For more details and to book, please visit www.harleyfoundation.org.uk/whats-on.