Tate Modern

What to see at the Tate Modern

Tate Modern is one of the world’s largest museums devoted to modern and contemporary art, but it lacks the focus of some smaller art galleries that concentrate on a specific artist or artistic style.

The gallery is comprised of two main buildings, the seven-storey Boiler House and the 11-storey Blavatnik Building, both of which are connected by the massive Turbine Hall. The free displays from the Tate Modern’s permanent collection are located on levels two and four of the Boiler House and level zero, two, three and four of the Blavatnik Building.

The museum is organised according to theme as opposed to many other art galleries, which are traditionally organised either chronologically or by artist.

Boiler House

It is best to start at the Start Display on level two of the Boiler House. This display serves as an introduction to the free collection giving you background information on the best-known artworks from the Tate Modern’s collection. The Start Display features The Snail by Henri Matisse (1953) and Cossacks by Wassily Kandinsky (1910–1911).

Other works on level two include Water-Lilies by Claude Monet (1916), The Annunciation by René Magritte (1930), Autumnal Cannibalism by Salvador Dalí (1936), Lobster Telephone by Salvador Dalí (1936) and the Metamorphosis of Narcissus also by Salvador Dalí (1937).

Works on display on level four include Cadeau by Man Ray (1921), Fountain by Marcel Duchamp (1917), Babel by Cildo Meireles (2001) and Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol (1962).

Blavatnik Building

The displays in the Blavatnik Building show how art has become more active since the 1960s. There are fewer exhibits in this building and those exhibits are less well known but they are larger, more interactive, exhibits that are still worth a look.

Level 10 of the Blavatnik Building is a viewing platform with fantastic views of the city.

Temporary exhibitions

In addition to its permanent collection, the Tate Modern also has a programme of temporary exhibitions, most of which have an admission fee.

Current and upcoming temporary exhibitions include:

Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi is a visual activist and self-described visual activist who uses photography to document and celebrate the lives of South Africa’s LGBTQIA+ community. This exhibition (until 26 January 2025) features over 200 photographs from Muholi’s Faces and Phases series, which began in 2006 and documents the lives of black lesbians, transgender, and gender non-conforming individuals in South Africa. The series is a powerful and moving testament to the resilience and beauty of these communities. The exhibition also features works from Muholi’s other series, including Somnyama Ngonyama, which explores the representation of black bodies in South Africa, and Being, which documents same-sex couples in love. £18.

Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit
The Ghost and Spirit exhibition (until 9 March 2025) is a major retrospective of the work of the American artist Mike Kelley (1954–2012). The exhibition explores Kelley’s interest in the dark side of American culture, from his use of found objects and toys to his exploration of themes such as violence, childhood trauma and the occult. £18.

Anthony McCall
The Anthony McCall exhibition (until 27 April 2025) is a major retrospective of the work of the British artist Anthony McCall. The exhibition spans McCall’s entire career, from his early minimalist films to his more recent spatial drawings and installations. £14.

Electric Dreams
The Electric Dream exhibition (until 1 June 2025) is a major survey of the work of early pioneers of optical, kinetic, programmed and digital art. The exhibition explores how artists in the late 20th century have used technology to create new and experimental forms of art, and how their work has influenced the development of contemporary art and design. £22.

Leigh Bowery
This exhibition (27 February–2 October 2025) examines the influential career of Leigh Bowery, an artist whose work spanned performance, fashion and club culture. Emerging in 1980s London, Bowery’s unconventional approach reshaped ideas about clothing, makeup and body art. His impact is evident in the work of contemporary figures like Alexander McQueen and Lady Gaga. The exhibition showcases his iconic Looks and collaborations, offering insight into his vibrant, boundary-defying world. £18.

The Genesis Exhibition: Do Ho Suh
The Genesis Exhibition (1 May–26 October 2025) features the work of Do Ho Suh, a Korean-born, London-based artist known for his large-scale installations, sculptures, videos and drawings. Suh explores themes of home, identity and belonging. Visitors can experience his intricate fabric architectures and other works that navigate the relationship between space, memory and individual and collective experiences. The exhibition includes new and site-specific pieces alongside earlier works.

Emily Kam Kngwarray
This exhibition (10 July 2025–13 January 2026) explores the art of Emily Kam Kngwarray, a senior Anmatyerre woman and significant Australian painter from the Utopia region. Starting her painting career in her late 70s, Kngwarray produced over 3,000 canvases in eight years, reflecting her deep connection to Country. In collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia, the exhibition features her vibrant textiles, monumental paintings and multimedia elements showcasing her cultural heritage and artistic legacy.

Picasso: The Three Dancers
This exhibition (25 September 2025–Spring 2026) delves into Picasso’s iconic painting, The Three Dancers, as it reaches its centenary. Created in 1925, this work marked a shift in Picasso’s style from classical serenity to intense emotional expression. Positioned at the intersection of madness, philosophy and the avant-garde, it explores themes of identity, the body, sex and death. The exhibition includes key pieces from Picasso’s career and features live performances inspired by The Three Dancers.

Nigerian Modernism
The Nigerian Modernism exhibition (8 October 2025 – Spring 2026) highlights the pivotal role of Nigerian artists in the mid-20th century, during and after Nigeria’s independence in 1960. It explores networks and movements including the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club, which integrated Nigerian, African and European artistic traditions. Featuring works from over 50 artists, including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali and Ben Enwonwu, the exhibition spans paintings, sculpture, textiles and poetry.

Visiting the Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is located in the Bankside neighbourhood on the south bank of the River Thames, just across the Millennium Bridge from the City of London. Blackfriars and Southwark are the closest tube stations (both around a 10-minute walk from the museum) although London Bridge, Mansion House and St Paul’s are also a short walk away. The Tate Modern is almost next door to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and less than a 15-minute walk from St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Tate app features audio tours (available in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish) and also has floor plans to help you find your way around. The app is free on the App Store (for Apple iPhones) and the Google Play store (for Android phones).

There are also several free guided tours of parts of the Tate Modern collection. These depart Boiler House level two at 11am and noon, Blavatnik Building level two at 11.30am, Blavatnik Building level three at 12.30pm, Boiler House level four at 2pm and 3pm and Blavatnik Building level four at 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

The Tate Modern has several cafes, bars and restaurants. Many of these are near the main entrances on level one and there is also an espresso bar on level three of the Boiler House, a restaurant and bar on level six of the Boiler House, a restaurant on level nine of the Blavatnik Building and a cafe on level 10 of the Blavatnik Building. There are also exclusive members-only bars in both buildings that are reserved solely for Tate members.

Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at the Tate Modern.

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