Ikon announces new gallery installation

An impossible maze, with no beginning or end, forms the basis of a new gallery installation and inner-city billboard campaign by Birmingham artist Foka Wolf.

Produced by Ikon, Why Are We Stuck in Hospital? illustrates the invisibility of people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people in long-stay hospitals.

On Tuesday 7 March, Foka Wolf and Matthew launch the installation at Ikon Gallery, 4:30pm - 6pm, followed by an evening of free community talks and creative workshops - Who Cares? - at The Exchange (6pm - 8pm), the former municipal bank in Centenary Square, Birmingham.

Linzi Stauvers, acting artistic director, Education, Ikon said: “As we have come to expect from Foka Wolf, this new artwork is straight to the point. It challenges us to think for ourselves and act on behalf of our community. It 's also graphic, colourful and highly theatrical, shining a light on the creativity of the thousands of people incarcerated in hospital settings. ”

Comprising graphic design and declarative captions, Foka Wolf 's new posters responds to Why Are We Stuck in Hospital? - a project conducted by the School of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham in partnership with rights-based organisation Changing Our Lives.

The research raises awareness of the 2,000 people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people who live in hospital settings for long periods of time, often for many years and with no planned date to leave.

Ikon 's exhibition coincides with the publication of policy guidelines based on the experiences of people with learning disabilities, their families and front-line staff.

Jon Glasby, director of IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together), Professor of Health and Social Care/NIHR School for Social Care Research Senior Fellow, University of Birmingham said: “Some people might need a short spell in hospital in an absolute emergency - but no one should live in a hospital.

“We closed our previous asylums, but it's a national scandal that so many people are still stuck in modern-day equivalents. This research and this exhibition try to amplify the voices of people with learning disabilities so that these are heard directly by the public."

Alongside Foka Wolf 's installation, Ikon hosts a display by Changing Our Lives based on their publication Hospital to Home: Matthew 's Story (2022).

Problems at home and a lack of support with his autism led to Matthew being sectioned aged 17. He spent the next 16 years locked in hospital settings, away from family and deprived of his liberty.

Now living happily in his own home, Matthew 's story is not only a testament to what can be achieved when the right support is put in place, but a poignant reflection on barriers and injustices experienced by thousands of other people trying to leave hospital.

Jayne Leeson MBE, chief executive officer, Changing Our Lives, said: “We are proud to be working with Ikon and Foka Wolf to shine a spotlight on the plight of people with learning disabilities and autistic people who find themselves trapped in hospital. Although this is only a short exhibition, we hope that FokaWolf 's following will continue to shine a light on this national scandal. ”