University News Last updated 12 March 2013
A figurehead of Birmingham’s art scene is to be honoured by Birmingham City University next week.
Jonathan Watkins has been the Director of the Ikon Gallery in Brindley Place for 13 years, and will receive an honorary doctoral degree in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the City.
Jonathan’s successful career in the world of contemporary art began in Australia when he undertook a BA in Philosophy and the History of Art at Sydney. Upon returning to the UK, he curated the Chisenhale Gallery in London, followed by a spell at the Serpentine Gallery. The year before his appointment at the Ikon, he returned to Sydney to curate the prestigious Biennale exhibition. Other curating commissions include projects for the Venice Biennale, the Shanghai Biennale, the Castell di Rivoli in Turin, London’s Hayward Gallery and, last but scarcely least, the Tate.
Jonathan’s vision for the Ikon Gallery is one of accessibility and of openness to new spaces and audiences. An example of his enterprising spirit was reflected in his contribution to the 2011 International Print Biennale: an exhibition in deepest Northumbria of the work of a man beloved by generations of Victorian readers for his engravings of birds and natural life, Thomas Bewick.
He has also written extensively on contemporary art. His recent essays have focused on the work of Giuseppe Penone, Martin Creed, Semyon Faibisovich, Yang Zhenzhong, Noguchi Rika, Caro Niederer, Beat Streuli and Cornelia Parker. He was also the author of the Phaidon monograph on Japanese artist On Kawara.
Jonathan will be receiving his honorary doctorate at the graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Friday 15 March.