British Folk Art at Tate Britain
Date uploaded: July 7, 2014
Tate Britain’s new exhibition entitled 'British Folk Art', brings together an array of artifacts steeped in tradition and often created by self-taught, but unsung, artists and artisans. The objects on show include everything from ships’ figureheads, quirky shop signs and Toby jugs to elaborately crafted quilts. The Exhibition runs from the 10th June to the 31st August 2014 and includes a host of associated lectures, talks, tours and workshops.
Folk art has often been neglected in the story of British art: by uncovering this treasure trove of folk art objects, this exhibition asks why.
Contained within the exhibition, visitors will find an intricate sculpture of a cockerel, made out of mutton bones by French POWs during the Napoleonic wars. There is a larger-than-life-size figure of King Alfred made out of thatch. There are examples of the mysterious ‘god in a bottle’ – votive offerings suspended in bottles of clear liquid – as well as naive paintings, tin trays covered with ornate fragments of crockery and much more besides. The show exemplifies the energy, variety and idiosyncrasy of British Folk Art.
The British Folk Art exhibition will be touring to Compton Verney from the 27th of September 2014 to the 14th of December 2014 as part of Compton Verney’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
The exhibition is curated by Martin Myrone, Curator, Tate Britain, Ruth Kenny, Assistant Curator, Tate Britain and artist Jeff McMillan.
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated book by Tate Publishing.
Related events
Daily activities
Families welcome area - Every weekend, and every Thursday and Friday during school holidays, 11.00–16.00
Open Studio - Every weekend, and every Thursday and Friday during school holidays, 11.00–16.00
Curiosities: a sonic trail for British Folk Art - Saturdays and Sundays, additionally Thursdays and Fridays in School Holidays
Talks and lectures
Curator's tour: British Folk Art with Martin Myrone
Friday 20 June 2014, 18.30 – 20.30
Curator’s tour: British Folk Art
Friday 11 July 2014, 18.30 – 20.30
British Sign Language Tour: British Folk Art
Friday 18 July 2014, 19.00 – 20.00
Courses and workshops
Make It: Tate Kids meets Folk Art
Saturday 5 July 2014, 10.00 – 11.00
Make it: Embroidery workshop
5 July 2014 10.30–13.30 and 15.00–18.00, 6 July 10.30–13.30
Make it: Knife-carving workshop
5 July 2014 10.30–13.30 and 15.00–18.00, 6 July 15.00–18.00
Make it: Collage workshop
5 and 6 July 2014 10.30–13.30
Make it: Sign painting workshop
5 July 2014 10.30–13.30 and 15.00–18.00, 6 July 15.00–18.00
Tate Lab: July 2014 with Ed Hall
Saturday 5 July 2014, 11.00 – 16.00
Make It: Hand-made digital
Saturday 5 July 2014, 12.00 – 15.00
Make It: Digital self makers
Saturday 5 July 2014, 16.00 – 18.00
Performance and music
Make It: Folk Art families
Saturday 5 July 2014, 11.00 – 16.00
For more information click here.
