On Friday 26th January, world-renowned art collective Guerrilla Girls will take over the Late at Tate Modern for a special evening of music, workshops, film and artist talks. Bringing together art and activism, the Guerrilla Girls are an anonymous group of women artists formed in New York in 1985 to fight discrimination and corruption in the art world, using facts, humour, and outrageous visuals. The collective has a long history with Tate, with the gallery having collected and shown their work for over 20 years.
On the night, visitors can enjoy DJ sets programmed by journalist, broadcaster and DJ Kate Hutchinson in the iconic Turbine Hall. Latin American music and arts collective Las Witchas will launch the evening with a drum and dance ceremony, followed by a set from celebrated Black feminist punk band, Big Joanie. DJs GIN and Mica Coca of emerging LGBTQ party Nite Dykez take over the Terrace Bar, while the team behind forthcoming DIY venue Sister Midnight will spin the sounds of rude girls to riot grrrls. Fashion legend Pam Hogg will close the night with an eclectic set of noirish, punk-inspired tracks.
A range of free talks and workshops will offer visitors the chance to hear from founder of sweet-thang zine, Zoe Thompson on what it means to be a black woman artist or to test their knowledge of women artists in a pop quiz hosted by Sisterland collective. Producer Winnie Imara and artist Miranda Forrester will bediscussing the importance of art and activism, while founder of Black Girl Fest, Nicole Crentsil, will tackle hard questions head on with the Guerrilla Girls themselves. Finally, Kate Hutchinson will be in conversation with Nadya Tolokonnikova, founding member of group Pussy Riot, known for their bold punk rock and courageous acts of resistance. Further activations inspired by the work of the Guerrilla Girls will take place across the gallery. Visitors can speak their mind at a pop-up Complaints Department or catch a series of Guerrilla Girls’ short films exploring their recent work, campaigns, and actions.
For those looking to get more up close and personal with the Guerrilla Girls, an intimate in-conversation between the collective and former Tate Modern Director Frances Morris will take place in the gallery’s Starr Cinema on Thursday 25 January. Tickets include the chance to have books signed and rub shoulders with the artists over a drink in Tate Modern’s newly refurbished Corner bar. The evening also celebrates the collective’s takeover of the Tate Edit shop, on display until the Spring. The collaboration features a specially designed product range for Tate Edit including a series of the Guerrilla Girls’ provocative archival posters dating back to the 1980s, as well as branded merchandise, stationery, bottles from Chilly’s, and bags by LOQI.
Visitors to Tate Modern can also see several works by the Guerrilla Girls as part of a free display on Level 4 in the Natalie Bell Building entitled Media Networks. The group’s most iconic poster works, including Dearest Art Collector, 1986, The Advantages of Being A Woman Artist, 1988 and Do Women Have to be Naked to Get into the Met. Museum, 2012 are on show.
Tate Modern Late: Guerrilla Girls Takeover, Friday 26th January -6PM – 10PM
Free. No ticket is required for admission to the Lates. Book to see the exhibitions Capturing the Moment and Philip Guston which will also be open late.
Most events are drop-in, but the following require a free ticket:
Art Chats Programmed by Black Girl Fest
Location: Blavatnik Building, Level 5 – tickets can be collected from the Tanks Studio Level 0 from 17.30 on 26th January
19.00–19.30 A New Manifesto Zoe Thompson explores what it means to be a Black woman artist. The founder of sweet-thang zine will discuss the importance of being a Black woman artist, drawing on radical DIY zines and her journey creating an arts and literary print zine and indie press that celebrates work by Black creatives worldwide.
20.00–20.30 Black Women Artists in History and Artivism Join producer Winnie Imara and artist Miranda Forrester in conversation, discussing the importance of artivism in relation to their creative work.
21.00–21.30 Art, Activism & Community Today A special conversation with the founder of Black Girl Fest, Nicole Crentsil, tackling hard questions head on with the iconic Guerrilla Girls. Together they discuss creativity, activism, feminism, and equality within the arts sector.
The Art of Resistance with Pussy Riot and Kate Hutchinson
Location: Starr Cinema, Natalie Bell Building, Level 1; Time: 8PM–9PM – tickets can be booked online at www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-modern-lates from 14.00 on 26th January
Hear from activist, artist and musician Nadya Tolokonnikova, joining us virtually, hosted by journalist, broadcaster and DJ Kate Hutchinson. Tolokonnikova is the founding member of Pussy Riot, the Russian feminist protest and performance group known for their bold punk rock and courageous acts of resistance.
Tate Edit Talks: In conversation with Guerrilla Girls Thursday 25th January
Starr Cinema and the Corner 6:30PM -8PM. Tate Edit and the Corner will be open until 10PM
£35 / £30 for Members
