Hew Locke - Foreign Exchange

Birmingham’s city-centre sculpture of Queen Victoria is reimagined by acclaimed Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke. Presented by Birmingham 2022 Festival and commissioned by Ikon, Foreign Exchange will remain on view through the summer and during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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.
Generously supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Henry Moore Foundation and the Ikon Investment Fund.
Ikon presented a major exhibition by Hew Locke, Here’s The Thing, in 2019.

[@rsduffild]

great stuff!!

[@katekearns8147]

Favourite artist- just great :)

[@JoeyXSmith]

Looks really tacky. They should of left it alone. He just wanted to ruin it. Hope they change it back.