Join us as we start the year with a visit to Tate
Modern.
This gallery of international
modern and contemporary art is housed in the former Bankside Power Station next
to the River Thames in central London.
In
the Turbine Hall, a major new sculpture by Kara Walker, Fons Americanus,
provides a challenge to London’s more traditional monuments.
As well as the art works and gallery
visitors, there are interesting interiors and views of the surrounding area to
sketch.
The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up
with your art kit.
Safety: Please be mindful of the safety of yourself, other
sketchers and passers-by.
Be careful
about your possessions when you are sketching and in crowded places.
11am: Meet just inside the Turbine Hall entrance (see
photograph above).
Expect a bag search
at the entrance, and ensure your art kit does not include sharp tools such as
scissors or craft knives.
1pm: Meet at the Level One bridge (photograph below), which crosses above the
Turbine Hall, to look at drawings done so far.
3.30pm: Meet again at the Level One bridge to look at
drawings done.
We will take group
photographs either here or down a level near the Turbine Hall sculpture,
depending how crowded it is.
We could then go for drinks to the Terrace Bar at Level One
of the Blavatnik Building, or another nearby bar/café.
There is information about Tate Modern on their
website.
Options for drawing:
Tate Modern opened in 2000, a conversion of the Bankside
Power Station by Swiss architects Hertzog and De Meuron.
The huge Turbine Hall currently has sculpture
by USA artist Kara Walker (above), whose work explores historic links between Africa,
Europe and America, including the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
Opened more recently, the Blavatnik Building (above) has extended
the exhibition space, built over The Tanks, display galleries which use the
former power station oil tanks.
There
are interesting public spaces in all areas of the building.
The collection of international art is from 1900 to the
present day.
The Blavatnik Building has
a focus on post-1960 art.
There are many opportunities for people sketching, inside and
outside the gallery.
There are views of the surrounding area from the windows of
Tate Modern, including the cafes.
For
those prepared to brave the winter weather, there are views across the river to
St Paul’s Cathedral and the modern City of London.
Sights near Tate Modern include the Globe
Theatre, and many contemporary buildings.
Practical information
Tate Modern is on Bankside.
The nearest underground stations are Southwark (Jubilee Line) and
Blackfriars (main line rail, District and Circle underground).
Admission to the gallery is free of charge,
other than for special exhibitions.
On
Saturdays it is open from 10 am to 10 pm. Tate has restrictions on the use of
wet painting media inside the building.
There
are toilets, a cloakroom, and lockers.
The gallery has cafes and bars, and there are other cafes and
restaurants by the river, and food shops south of Tate Modern around Southwark
Street.
This day is run by Jo Dungey and Gafung Wong, sketches and photographs are by Jo and Gafung.
Let's draw at Tate Modern - Saturday 11 January 2020
