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Tate Britain Talk

Show and Share Visions of the Occult

19 November 2022 at 13.00–17.45
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A figure crouched down in a fantasy scene with fantastic animals.

William Blake, The Night of Enitharmon’s Joy (formerly called Hecate) c.1795. Ink, tempera and watercolour on paper 43.9 × 58.1. Tate.

Join us as we unlock the secrets of the Tate archive, shedding light on the mysterious occult collection that lies within

To mark the launch of her new book, Visions of the Occult: An Untold Story of Art and Magic, Tate Archivist Victoria Jenkins invites us to step behind the veil and discover a remarkable array of clandestine artworks and ephemera.

Inside the Tate Archive, you will explore books, drawings, photographs, and other unusual objects that delve into the themes of witchcraft, alchemy, secret societies, folklore and pagan rituals, demonology, spells and magic, psychic energies, astrology, and tarot.

Afterwards, experience immersive Psychedelic Solar projectors from Dottintheshark (includes flashing lights). Then join us in the Clore Auditorium for a panel event, performances and a screening of David Stean's film Puppy The Goblin, with special guests: Lally MacBeth, Emma Sharples and Jamie Sutcliffe.

Expect the unexpected – and if you think you know Tate artists, think again.

The curated display of occult artworks and ephemera will also be available to the public 12.00–14.00 on Sunday 20 November in the Library and Archive Reading Rooms. Free - no booking required.

Victoria Jenkins is a Warwickshire born, London based artist and writer. She is currently an archivist at Tate. Her work concerns the relationship between art, the occult, and popular culture.

Lally MacBeth is an artist, writer and curator. She is the founder of The Folk Archive and the co-founder of Stone Club, a place for stone enthusiasts to connect with ancient sites.

Emma Sharples is an AHRC-funded doctoral researcher. Her project examines the permeable boundaries between modernity and magical experience in the work of the British Occultist Ithell Colquhoun (1906-1988). She is currently co-convening the forthcoming British Art Network-funded seminar, Curating Magic.

Jamie Sutcliffe is a writer, curator and co-director of Strange Attractor Press. He is the editor of Documents of Contemporary Art: Magic. His essays, reviews and interviews have been published by Art Monthly, Frieze, and The Quietus, amongst others.

Tate Britain's step-free entrance is on Atterbury Street. It has automatic sliding doors and there is a ramp down to the entrance with central handrails.

The Library and Archive Reading Rooms are located on the Lower floor, past the cloakroom.

There is a lift between the Lower and Main floors. Alternatively you can take the stairs.

  • Accessible, standard and a Changing Places toilets are located on the Lower floor.
  • Ear defenders can be borrowed from the ticket desk on the Lower floor.

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For more information before your visit:

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Tate Britain

Library & Archive Reading Rooms

Clore Auditorium

Millbank
London SW1P 4RG
Plan your visit

Date & Time

19 November 2022 at 13.00–17.45

This event has sold out

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