Yesterday, my mother, sister and I visited Women in Revolt! at the Tate Britain, an exhibition on Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990.
In art galleries, I’ve always found that I notice the people noticing the art, more than i notice the art itself . I love the silent community of the art gallery goers, watching as they try to find feelings in pieces, or as they stand, head tilted with an ‘i don’t get it’ or a ‘pffft! i could have done that’ expression. Noticing where people gather, and what they speed past. But I feel it’s rare to see people connecting with the pieces in a real, true way. Sure, there are the art folk who stare pensively in profound thoughtfulness, but I never believe them, they always seem like strange actors, appealing to some sort of artists or gallery ‘gaze’.
This exhibition was different, it was a collectively personal experience. Everyone there was truly, deeply yet gently, feeling. A space filled with women is always a special place to find oneself and here, women of all ages; babies to grandmothers, gathered to explore the exhibition.
I watched as each woman discovered a piece of her self, her past, her pain, her present and her future, in each piece displayed. The space was filled with powerful camaraderie as we each, individually and together, opened our attention to the women artists and activists of the past, letting their legacies sit with us, fuel us and unite us.
As with wherever I go and whatever I do, I documented it with photographs, which I would like to share with you.
The exhbition is running until the 7th April 2024 at the Tate Britain in Millbank and I encourage you to take a visit.
P.S, tickets for a fiver when you (16-25 year olds) sign up to the Tate Collective!!!
Now on with the show…
That’s all, for more, visit Women in Revolt! at the Tate Britain until 7th April xxx