The period 2004–6 saw a further growth in ambition and international reach as Tate Liverpool progressed towards being part of the European Capital of Culture in 2008. A creative mix of major historical exhibitions, mid-career retrospectives for a number of key British artists, experimental Project Space commissions and displays exploring the scope and depth of the Tate Collection provided a rich offer for the gallery’s growing audiences. Partnerships across the programme were further developed locally, nationally and internationally, deepening the relationship with artists, visitors and partners and maximising resources.
Summer of Love was the most ambitious and one of the most successful shows in Tate Liverpool’s history, and explored psychedelic art, music and film and located it within the wider historical context of the counterculture and student revolution of the 1960s. Two firsts included A Secret History of Clay, showcasing the work of artists working with the medium of clay (and the first Tate exhibition devoted to this medium) and Making History, the first exhibition to explore the importance and impact of documentary practice on British art and artists. Major monographic exhibitions were devoted to the work of Richard Wentworth and Sarah Lucas.
In 2004, Tate Liverpool continued its close association with the city’s cultural partners, being the main venue for International 04, one of the four programme strands for the third Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art. Twenty-three new works were presented on two floors with one of the highlights being a mirrored ballroom by the artist Valeska Soares.
The Project Space series continued in 2005 with the commissioning of assume vivid astro focus, the pseudonym of a New York-based Brazilian artist. The Wolfson Gallery was transformed into a riot of colour, sound and movement linking it to the special exhibition of Summer of Love on the top floor.
Tate Liverpool’s use of the Tate Collection to support the special exhibition programme has continued with a number of important displays. Seeing is Believing was developed through working with the Council of Faith – a community-based cross-sectional advisory group – to present a display reflecting faith and spirituality in its widest sense. At the end of 2005, Turner: The Sea, which originated at Tate Britain, was presented as part of the Sea Britain and Sea Liverpool 2005 celebrations, one of the European Capital of Culture’s themed years. Inverting the Map showcased contemporary Latin American art and expanded the Gallery’s focus beyond the Western canon, with many of the works shown in the UK for the first time since being acquired by Tate. Other Collection displays focused on the enrichment of the Collection through substantial donations of works of art and included The Kenneth E. Tyler Print Gift and Cubism and Its Legacy: The Gift of Gustav and Elly Kahnweiler.
The interpretation and education programme continued to develop and expand through a wide and diverse range of activities and events from artist talks and lectures through a wide and diverse range of activities and events, from artists’ talks and lectures to professional and learning projects with educational and corporate partners. The children’s Activity Space, which focuses on a particular exhibition or display over the summer months, attracted many visitors. Central to the large number of schools and colleges visits was the DLA Piper Series: International Modern Art, enabling teachers to work with students using many important works from the Tate Collection..
Continuing support from the public and private sector underpinned Tate Liverpool’s achievements in this biennium..The Corporate Membership Scheme continued to expand, with over 30 participating firms and organisations now associated with Tate Liverpool, and a growing number of Tate Liverpool Members provided an important level of support. DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary’s multiyear support of International Modern Art was the most substantial sponsorship of Tate Liverpool to date. Meanwhile, the Tate08 Partners programme was created to support the gallery’s developing community programmes in the run up to European Capital of Culture 2008.
