Tate Britain in London has unveiled a complete rehang of its collection of British art for the first time in 10 years.
Visitors can see more than 800 works by more than 350 artists across six centuries. Works by John Everett Millais, David Hockney, Chris Ofili and Barbara Hepworth are joined by new additions to reflect the diversity of Tate’s collection.
The displays include 200 works acquired after the millennium, including 70 works to enter the collection in the past five years – from Tudor portraits to contemporary installations.
The rehung galleries are still displayed chronologically, from the 1500s to the present day. Each room has a different wall colour, title and theme.
Per a statement from Tate, these rooms explore art in a social context and reveal how artists have responded to cultural, political, economic and technological changes.
Additionally, guests can see a display of 100 works by JMW Turner, rooms dedicated to historic figures including William Blake, John Constable and Henry Moore, and a series of changing displays to celebrate artists such as Annie Swynnerton, Aubrey Williams and Zineb Sedira.
“Tate Britain now tells a more expansive story of British art in ways that resonate with us today,” said Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain.
From Tudor portraits to modern works
“We want to show that art isn’t made in a vacuum – it’s made by real people living in the real world,” Farquharson added.
“By exploring the connections between artists and the times they live in, we can shed new light on Britain’s greatest artworks and showcase a wider range of perspectives and ideas.”
The rehang explores the relationship between British art and the rest of the world, with many of the artists on view born outside of the UK – including Rubens, Van Dyck and Canaletto, as well as Frank Bowling, Paula Rego and Mohammed Sami.
The project also focused on women artists, from Joan Carlile and Mary Beale to Gwen John and Ithell Colquhoun. Half of the living artists on display are women, including Rachel Whiteread, Lubaina Himid, Rachel Jones and Kudzanai-Violet Hwami.
“The rehang offers a broader, more complex picture of British art, and this is only possible because of the way Tate’s collection has been extended, deepened and diversified in recent years,” said Polly Staple, Tate’s director of collection, British art.
“A selection of incredible new acquisitions can now take their place at Tate Britain alongside our most iconic works, all of which can be enjoyed by everyone for free.”
Contemporary British art can be seen across the gallery, with several works by living artists on view alongside 16th, 17th and 18th century artworks. Also included in the rehang is a new installation of large-scale contemporary sculptures.
Andrea Schlieker, director of exhibitions and displays at Tate Britain, said the institution “has an important role in platforming and celebrating the unique contribution that contemporary artists make to our lives today”.
Images: Tate / Matt Greenwood / Rikard Osterlund
