Tate Modern & Britain: Benglis, Munch, Hockney & 2027 Exhibitions Revealed
Tate Modern and Tate Britain have unveiled an ambitious 2027 exhibition program, a slate of shows announced on the eve of director Maria Balshaw’s departure. The lineup features major retrospectives of artists including David Hockney, Lynda Benglis, Sonia Boyce, and Edvard Munch, alongside a series of firsts for the institution, including its inaugural exhibition dedicated to Asian ink painting and a solo show for Algerian artist Baya.
The program signals a commitment to both established masters and underrepresented voices. Hockney, approaching his 90th birthday, will be celebrated across both Tate Modern and Tate Britain. Tate Modern will host a multimedia installation in its Turbine Hall, while Tate Britain will present a comprehensive career survey of his work, encompassing over 200 pieces. The exhibition promises to explore the breadth of Hockney’s artistic journey, from his early explorations of queer love and desire to his more recent depictions of intimate moments in his home and studio.
Alongside Hockney, Lynda Benglis will receive a significant spotlight at Tate Modern. The exhibition, running from to , will showcase more than 50 works from the late 1960s to the present, highlighting her influential role in abstract art. Benglis is known for her vibrant color palettes and process-oriented approach, utilizing materials like poured latex, wax, and bronze. Her work often challenges conventional notions of sculpture and painting, and she gained notoriety in 1974 for a provocative advertisement in Artforum.
Tate Britain will also be home to a major retrospective of Sonia Boyce’s work, running from to . Boyce, who garnered international acclaim for her contribution to the 2022 Venice Biennale, where she won the Golden Lion, creates large-scale installations, photography, collage, drawing, film, and sculpture. The exhibition will draw from her Devotional series and her archive, created in collaboration with the public, reflecting her interest in art as a social practice.
The 2027 program also demonstrates Tate’s expanding global perspective. The institution will present its first solo exhibition dedicated to Baya (Mahieddine), a self-taught Algerian artist whose work contributed to the development of Modernism in North Africa. The exhibition, opening on , will showcase her unique artistic vision, inspired by her childhood memories and Algerian and Amazigh heritage. Writer Rawaa Talass has noted Baya’s significant influence on European pioneers of modern art.
Further expanding its commitment to international art, Tate Modern will host an exhibition of ink painting, featuring around 80 works from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The show, running from to , will explore the evolution of this art form in the 20th century, organized around themes of Life, the Garden, and Breath.
The program also includes a show dedicated to Edvard Munch, exploring his “soul paintings” through the lens of cinema and visual storytelling, and examining themes of identity and desire. This exhibition will run from to .
Beyond these major exhibitions, Tate’s 2027 program includes a presentation of works by Thomas Gainsborough, marking the 300th anniversary of his birth, and a show exploring the Tudor period in British painting. The program also highlights the upcoming completion of the renovation of Tate Liverpool, which will launch with a major exhibition of works by Chila Kumari Singh Burman.
The renovation of Tate Liverpool, initially delayed due to funding challenges, is now expected to be completed next year. The project, which has increased in cost to around £35 million, will include a new art hall for large-scale installations and new spaces for public engagement. The gallery had initially planned to reopen in 2025, but faced setbacks in securing the necessary funds.
The 2027 program, announced as Tate’s director Maria Balshaw prepares to depart, represents a bold and diverse vision for the institution’s future. It underscores Tate’s commitment to showcasing both iconic artists and emerging voices, while also expanding its global reach and embracing new perspectives on art history.