Born in the Punjab region of India, in what is now Pakistan, Balraj Khanna’s early years were shaped by Partition, but he later found himself living his life in post-war Britain—through themes of migration, identity and belonging, he is now considered one of the country’s most significant South Asian artists.
This autumn, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, presents ‘Lines of Flight’, the first major survey exhibition of the British–Indian artist Balraj Khanna, on view from September 30, 2026 to February 21, 2027. ‘Lines of Flight’ brings together more than 40 paintings made over six decades from his remarkable career.
Safety Curtain. Photo by Andrew Judd
“Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight offers a long-overdue recognition of an artist whose work bridges cultures, geographies and generations, highlighting his significant contribution to post-war British abstraction,” said Antonia Blocker, Artistic Director, Exhibitions (Maternity Cover).
A self-taught artist, Khanna produced a substantial body of paintings, reliefs, writings, and publications informed by migration, memory, landscape, and cultural exchange. Following his first solo exhibition in 1965, he exhibited widely across the UK, France and the United States.
His inclusion in the landmark exhibition ‘The Other Story’ at Hayward Gallery (1989), the display of his work at Tate Britain in 2024, and the presence of his paintings and archives in major public collections—including the V&A—reflect the increasing recognition of his contribution to post-war British art.
In ‘Lines of Flight’, rarely seen works from the 1960s and 70s will be presented alongside large-scale compositions from the 1970s to the early 2000s. Early paintings inspired by the forests of Metz, France, are shown alongside later works exploring childhood memories, diasporic identity, postcolonial politics and the enduring legacy of the Partition.
The exhibition also celebrates Khanna’s deep connection to Birmingham through ‘Astral Dance’ (2001), his monumental painted safety curtain for Birmingham Hippodrome. To mark its 25th anniversary this year, Ikon will collaborate with Birmingham Hippodrome on public programmes, curator-led tours, and learning initiatives.
Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight is presented at Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, 30 September 2026 – 21 February 2027.
