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Tate Modern Talk

What can murals do?

19 February 2024 at 19.00–20.45
Black and White image of two men, Philip Guston Reuben Kadish and Jules Langsner standing in front of a large mural.

Philip Guston, Reuben Kadish (with poet Jules Langsner) in front of their fresco The Struggle Against Terrorism, 1935, in Morelia, Mexico. Image courtesy of The Guston Foundation.

Join us to explore the power and potential of murals

Artist Philip Guston made paintings and drawings that captured the anxious and turbulent world he was witnessing. His early work included murals and paintings addressing racism in America and wars abroad.

This panel discussion will use the politically motivated public work of Philip Guston as a starting point for a discussion around muralism with insight from experts, artists and activists. Chaired by Senior Curator Michael Wellen, this event will consider questions such as; how have murals functioned historically? What is the role of public art? And what are the limitations of mural painting?

Include an optional private view of the Philip Guston exhibition for an additional cost. The exhibition will be open after the talk until 22.30.

Michael Wellen

Michael Wellen is Senior Curator, International Art at Tate Modern, where he manages the displays of the collection across the museum. He is specialist of modern and contemporary art from Latin America. He is curator of the Philip Guston retrospective, currently on view. He has also curated exhibitions Lubaina Himid in 2021 and Takis in 2019, together with Guy Brett. He conceived of pivotal collection displays such as Cecilia Vicuña and Joseph Beuys, A Year in Art: 1973, and staged Ernesto Salmerón's Auras of War in Turbine Hall as well as live performances of Tunga’s work. He holds an MA and PhD in art history from the University of Texas at Austin.

Bill Rolston

Bill Rolston is emeritus professor of Sociology and former director of the Transitional Justice Institute at Ulster University. He has published on many issues, from mass media representations of the Northern Ireland conflict to the role of politically motivated former prisoners in conflict transformation, as well as on the political wall murals of Northern Ireland.

Jacob V Joyce

Jacob V Joyce is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice amplifies historical and nourishes new queer and anti-colonial narratives. They are currently researching the cultural legacies of Black British arts education for a PhD supported by C.R.E.A.M (The Center for Research in Education and Arts Media) and 198 Cal Arts Learning Brixton.

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg is an educator, writer and tour guide of London’s radical history with a special interest in the social history of London’s East End. He teaches Adult Education courses at the City Literary Institute. He is the author of Battle for the East End (2011) and Rebel Footprints (2nd edition 2019). David has been active in anti-racist and anti-fascist campaigning since the mid-1970s. He has helped to organise 5 yearly commemorations of the Battle of Cable Street and was the convenor of the Cable Street 80 commemoration in 2016. His guided walks include 'Anti-Fascist Footprints: a walk through the 1930s East End'. He wrote about the Cable Street mural for The Guardian. More information about David Rosenberg can be found here: www.eastendwalks.com

Bolanle Tajudeen

Bolanle Tajudeen, the founder of Black Blossoms, an art school and an expanded curatorial platform focusing on artists of colour,  aims to make their art accessible to all. Working with artists at various career stages, including Bokani, Kimathi Donkor, and Amanda Holiday, she has curated mural and outdoor public art projects with organisations such as Kensington and Chelsea Art Week, Hammersmith and Fulham Council, Peckham Platform, and Southwark Council. Bolanle has recently been appointed Public Art Commissioner for the Bristol Legacy Project in partnership with Bristol City Council. In this role, she is tasked with project managing and curating a permanent commemorative artwork to honour the legacy of the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans.

This talk includes British Sign Language interpretation.

All Tate Modern entrances are step-free. You can enter via the Turbine Hall and into the Natalie Bell Building on Holland Street, or into the Blavatnik Building on Sumner street.

The Starr Cinema is on Level 1 of the Natalie Bell Building. There are lifts to every floor of the Blavatnik and Nathalie Bell buildings. Alternatively you can take the stairs.

There is space for wheelchairs and a hearing loop is available.

All works screened in the Starr Cinema have English captions.

  • Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses.
  • A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4.
  • Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Ticket desks.

To help plan your visit to Tate Modern, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information about what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

Download a map of Tate Modern [PDF, 1014 Kb].

For more information before your visit:

  • Email hello@tate.org.uk
  • Call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 – option 1 (daily 09.45–18.00)

Check all Tate Modern accessibility information

Tate Modern

Starr Cinema

Bankside
London SE1 9TG
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Date & Time

19 February 2024 at 19.00–20.45

Supported by

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