Ellen Gallagher has emerged as one of the most acclaimed young painters in North America. Opportunities to see her work are rare, however. This is not only the first opportunity to see painting in the first floor galleries of the new Ikon, but also the first solo exhibition of Gallagher’s work in a public gallery. Gallagher’s process of art making is private. Paintings and drawings are created over intense periods of time, each piece reflecting a concentration of thought and labour. These works reflect the individuality of Gallagher, evident in her statements to Thyrza Nichols Goodeve in this publication, but the works also extend outwards, exploring the microcosms and macrocosms of our worlds. Presented within the context of Birmingham, a city of diverse cultural populations, regeneration and regrowth, the works resonate beyond the gallery to embrace the diversity of viewers. Ikon Gallery joins the artist in extending her thanks to Anthony d’Offay, Mark Fletcher and Mario Diancono for their continued support. We are immensely grateful to the artist for her commitment and vision in creating an extraordinary body of work for this exhibition.