Anna Farley: Your Space

Anna Farley (born 1989, Wales) is an autistic artist whose work explores her autism, UK disability culture, and inclusion. Proposing that museums apply the same care to the comfort of their publics as they do to art objects, Farley imagines new possibilities for what inclusive provisions could or should exist.

Farley’s second version of Your Space is inspired by the artist, writer and occultist Ithell Colquhoun (1906–1988), who was based in Cornwall in her later life. Colquhoun moved between the worlds of surrealism and magic, employing philosophies from around the world. Her influence shows in the colours, textures and shapes of Your Space. Farley has borrowed surrealist automatic processes used by Colquhoun to make art without conscious thought.

Your Space features resources made by Farley and others. These include cushions designed with community groups, responding to and representing the comfort needs of a range of people that may use the space. You are invited to rest, read, listen, play, and get comfy. It’s your space.

Discover more about Ithell Colquhoun via our Story Player.

See here for accessibility information before visiting Tate St Ives.

Thank you to all of the people who have taken part in the making and development of Your Space, and to those who contribute in the future. Special thanks to Gabrielle Brooks, Co-Motion Projects, Helen Farley, Robert Farley, Sally Holt, Anna Knowles, Levow an Bys, Cornwall Look Groups, Sarah Merrell, Dominic Neuner, Jamie Nicolson, Charlotte Nolan, Laura Platts, Isabelle Sallis, Shallal Dance Theatre, Alex Stubbs, Tate Collective Producers, Hannah Thomas, Edna Titley, James Titley, Vocal Presence and Becky Warnock. This is Farley’s second version of Your Space at Tate St Ives. The first (Jun 2024 – Jan 2026) was inspired by Barbara Hepworth and made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.