I like me a good piece of art and I’m always trying to embrace new types and styles, genres and artists. Sometimes I read about an ‘avant-garde’ or ‘challenging’ artist and wonder of it’ll be for me; or someone whose politics take centre stage and worry that probably means a somewhat liberal and one-eyed view of the world.
Lubaina Himid is described thusly, as well as being a black activist feminist which, likes all labels is limiting rather than explicatory.
But nothing ventured, off we set for the Tate Modern, the gallery within a redundant power station to see this exhibition of her work.
And yes, there were pieces on slavery and on the evils of Thatcher and Reagan and the constraints placed on women by societal norms but there was a lot else besides.
There were sound installations and a room ringed by a stripe that was intriguing. There were pieces that looked at the uncertainties of the modern male in a world where he was unsure how he might fit. And settings for operas which she is also famous for.
There were painted jelly moulds and people in drawers and wave forms and strange empty chairs.
And did I mention the colour? Lots of colour.
The styles were pretty gauche which is usually not a reflection on her skills but on her concepts, though there was precious little evidence she ever painted any other way which I found a bit limiting.
It’s not a large exhibition, and it doesn’t ask much if its audience, but I found it an enjoyable hour before a cheese toastie and coffee called me away.
TanGental 
Quite an interesting exhibition, but just the tip of the iceberg in terms of understanding who she was and her world. It’s interesting because I got thrown into the American civil rights movement of the 60’s last week. A well-known Australian historian contacted me via my blog to tell me about an interview panel my grandmother was on with Afro-American singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson. I was gobsmacked seeing my own grandmother in the thick of that. I’m in the process of transcribing the interview, which has turned out to be a massive job. Trying to get the words right is painful. However, each and every word is very important and it’s not something you can half do. It will just take awhile. I was trying to click my fingers.
Getting back to Lubaina Himid, is it just me or does the right hand on the right figure appear out of nowhere with no arm? Not to sure about that. The art works didn’t speak to me, but perhaps they’re not meant to either.
However, it’s great that you keep returning to The Tate and encountering art which is experimental and may not be your thing and giving it a go. I am doing that a bit going to hear bands on a Sunday afternoon and through our daughter’s dance involvement.
Hope you are keeping well.
BTW thought you’d appreciate this series by Linda Currie about living in the 70’s: https://argonautsite.wordpress.com/2022/03/08/living-in-the-70s/
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Yes I’m not entirely sure about her work. Tpo many easy labels rather than ‘artist’ maybe. Or maybe that is an indictment of our attitudes. Good to keep trying…
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Interesting would be my one-word take from the pictures you posted of the exhibit. I didn’t feel drawn to the paintings or the other art forms, but then art is in the eye of the beholder. The exposure is good, though.
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I’m not entirely sure that she deserved this by reason of her art alone. There is a slight sense of her politics giving her art a leg up. But it was an engaging stroll around…
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Thank you for the lovely tour, Geoff. The 10 Pound poster looks good too.
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😇
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She’s got a good eye for color. That’s always one of my problems with painting.
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it’s like my dancing and timing; I know it’s important and I recognise it when its pointed out to me but left to my own devices and everything gets a bit jumbled…
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Humm? Not totally convinced but I am a heathen! 💜
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Interesting art. I think you probably need to see it in the flesh, as it were, to fully appreciate it, though.
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It looks like an interesting exhibition, although not all to my taste. I have not had a chance to visit the Tate Modern, but I used to love visiting the other Tate to pause at Turner’s paintings.
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There’s a rather good Sickert exhibition at the Tate Britain I want to get to soonest. It may do better than this one. Thanks for the visit Brigid
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