Every two years, an artist represented in the Tate collection is invited to become the Tate Members commissioned artist. This unique commission was conceived as a way of recognising and celebrating the vital support Tate Members provide to the four Tate galleries – a remarkable £10.8 million in the last year alone. Previous commissioned artists include David Shrigley, Jim Lambie, Fiona Rae and Chris Ofili.
Martin Creed has produced a suite of colourful new works for the commission that have been used to create a new collectable membership gift pack. Creed has also taken over the Members Room at ɫشý, covering every wall and ceiling surface with a series of different wall paintings. Further new works are featured on membership cards and across materials sent to Members. Creed will also be performing at ɫشý as part Tate Members Weekend in earlyDecember.
Creed has a long association with Tate. He won the Turner Prize in 2001, exhibiting Work No. 227: The lights going on and off, which has since been acquired for the Tate collection. His Work No.850 saw athletes sprinting through the Duveen Galleries at TateBritain.
Martin Creed said: “To me, the main problem is that life is difficult. The most common feeling, to me, is a bad feeling and I go to work to try and not feel like that. So anything I can do to make my life better, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, is really worth trying to do. That’s all I’m trying to do, is to make my life better…colours help, they make mehappy.”
The new Tate Members artist commission will launch on 1 October 2015 and will run until September2017.
To find out more visit tate.org.uk/members
Notes toEditor
Over the last 57 years, Tate Members have made a remarkable difference and helped Tate acquire over 500 important works for the UK’s national collection of British and international art. In recent years purchases made possible by Tate Members contributions included pieces by Turner and WilliamBlake.
Tate Membershipgives:
- Free, unlimited exhibition entry at all four Tate galleries including the show-stopping 2016 line up of Alexander Calder, Francis Bacon, Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg and PaulNash
- Free access to the exclusive Members Rooms at Tate Britain and ɫشý, with stunning views ofLondon
- Exclusive Member talks, events and viewing hours 10% discount and seasonal offers at TateShops
- Plus a year’s subscription to Tate Etc. magazine with the latest art news and the bi-monthly TateGuide
Each membership pack is presented in a collectable gift box designed exclusively by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed.
Buy online attate.org.uk/members
Call +44 (0) 20 78878888
Or arrange in any Tategallery
Contact
For press information please contact Duncan Holden, TatePressOffice
Call +44(0)20 78874939
Emailduncan.holden@tate.org.uk,www.tate.org.uk
Follow @Tate#MartinCreed