Tate Winter Commission 2020: Chila Burman
Since December 2017, Tate has commissioned a winter installation to illuminate their riverside entrance. For 2020 they timed the unveiling to coincide with Diwali and the artist is Chila Kumari Singh Burman.
If you remember the weird (and I think wonderful) slugs by Monster Chetwynd from 2018, then you’ll know that the Winter Commission is very rarely you’re standard twinkly Christmas lights.
“Remembering a Brave New World” is packed with symbols of Hindu mythology, references to colonialism but also personal memories, like Chila’s family ice-cream truck.
Born in Liverpool, the neon lights are also a reference to Chila’s childhood visits to Blackpool illuminations. The neon installation certainly captures their over-the-top brilliance!
Diwali is a celebration of new beginnings and so I’d challenge anyone to not feel uplifted and hopeful after soaking up this wonderful installation.
Here’s what it looks like at night…
View this post on Instagram
You can see it for free anytime until 31 January 2021. The closest station to Tate Britain is Pimlico.
What do you think?
More London Inspiration
A closer look at the beautiful history-filled mural that brighten's up the Old Kent Road ...
London has its very own Stonehenge! It might not be millennia old, but that's not to say Hackney Henge - sorry - 'ackney 'enge isn't historic!...
London has plenty of tiny passageways and more often than not they have a fascinating bit of history to tell!...
Sat in Poplar Recreation Ground, St Matthias Old Church is no longer a church but still holds plenty of history......
London's Square mile is a veritable zoo! From sculptures to statues and plaques, there are so many animals to spot in the City of London......
Walk down Stepney Green off Mile End Road and the street opens into a quiet enclave packed with history......
No Comments