DCMS BAME Network host a Creative Insight visit to Tate Modern

Anyone who knows me will tell you I do like to participate in many aspects of culture (please don’t even get me started about London – I love living here!) So it will come as little surprise to you that I literally jumped at the chance of hosting a Creative Insight visit with the DCMS BAME Network to Tate Modern to celebrate Black History Month.

Tate Modern generously offered us 30 tickets to a private view of Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power that we snapped up. What a treat it was to step out of the office and into Tate Modern on a Friday morning to see an amazing and seminal art show with colleagues and work mates who share a varied and curious interest in art.

The concept of the show is based within the battle of civil rights in America with vivid and searing imagery from 60 mainly African-American artists. The show does not shy away from bringing together some of the most profound images which gives you a sense of the racial tensions and brutal environment they occupied.

In particular, the painting by David Hammons, Injustice Case was both powerful and poignant. The painting represents the bitter and abhorrent nature of injustice in America. It uses the American flag as a frame which serves to give the image a duality of meaning – shocking and profound.

I have seen various shows over the years such as Africa Remix at the Hayward Gallery and black art shows/screenings at the Whitechapel so I’m no stranger to the notion of the Black and African art in practices. However, these 12 rooms with over 150 artworks really moved me and truly evoked a sense of the transformative power of art.

I think these events throughout Black History Month and beyond are another way we can forge authentic cross-departmental rapport. It is a great opportunity for us to share dialogue about the various cultural differences and commonality of our everyday lives. It was also a fantastic opportunity to listen to some engaging conversations about the artwork and, of course, to get to know other DCMS-ers!

Cheryl, Heritage and Tourism Business Manager

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