What’s on at the Tate Modern: From Tate Lates to free family activities

It’s hard to imagine how empty London’s modern art scene must have been before the Tate Modern opened.

Along with its permanent collection – featuring the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Barbara Hepworth – Tate Modern’s temporary exhibitions never fail to pull in the crowds.

Throughout summer, four new exhibitions are on show. 

The most recent show to open, on June 27, is Anthony McCall: Solid Light, which will be on until April 2025.

Your movements bring artworks to life inside this immersive display in the George Hall gallery.

Beams of light projected through a thin mist create large three-dimensional forms in space, which slowly shift and change. As you move through these translucent sculptures of light, you create new shapes and perspectives.

Occupying a space between sculpture, cinema, drawing, and performance, McCall is known for his innovative installations of light. 

If photography is more your thing, Zanele Muholi’s work will be on display until January 25, 2025. 

Everything about Muholi’s art is political as their images tell the stories of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex lives in South Africa.

More than 300 photographs will be brought together to present the breadth of Muholi’s career to date, from their very first body of work to their latest and on-going series. 

From scouring pads and latex gloves to rubber tires and cable ties, everyday materials are transformed into politically loaded props. The resulting images delve into themes of labour, racism, Eurocentrism and sexual politics, often commenting on events in South Africa’s history.

Jumping back through the history of Modern art, Expressionists – which will run until October 20 –  reveals the story of friendship that transformed modern art.

The show examines the creatives that made up The Blue Rider, from Franz Marc’s interest in colour to Alexander Sacharoff’s freestyle performance.

Female artists played a central role in the movement. Gabriele Münter’s experimental photographs and the dramatic paintings of Marianne Werefkin will be featured in the collection.

Expressionists will cover mediums from paintings and sculptures to photography and performance and features 130 works – brought together in the UK for the first time in more than 60 years.

Not only does the former Bankside Power Station host one of the largest international collections of contemporary artworks, but it also stages regular free events, DJ nights, family activities and talks.

Until August 26, the Turbine Hall will be turned into an immersive installation where anyone can get involved to create a collaborative painting.

Your wave-like marks will flood  huge canvas filled with the drawings and messages of previous visitors, creating The flooded garden!

Artist Oscar Morrillo is behind the idea, taking inspiration from Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.

For the little ones, each Wednesday and weekend there are free Tate Play sessions held in the Clore Studio.

Families can discover the magic of turning everyday materials and objects into works of art, celebrating making mistakes and discovering new possibilities.

There are even free late night events for young people. Held on the last Friday of each month, Tate Lates offer visitors to experience the gallery after hours with a mix of art, music, film, talks, workshops and food. 

Expect DJ sets, artist-led workshops, talks and film screenings alongside the exhibitions. Plus enjoy special food and drink offers all evening.

For more information visit www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern

Secure ticket booking at www.tate.org.uk or call 020 7887 8888

Pictured top: TateLates (Picture: Sophie Shaw)