Chila Kumari Singh Burman has brought an explosion of colour to Tate Britain.
Originally designed for Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, Tate Britain’s spectacular annual Winter Commission has been hitting these dark winter nights over the head with a colourful array of neons. There’s possibly no better signifier of the triumph of light over dark than these multicoloured creations shining through the winter gloom, and they’ve proved so popular during the January lockdown that the artwork’s run has been extended for another month! [Featured image: @chilaburman]
Tate Britain have previous with their showstopping Winter Commissions – who can forget the giant illuminated festive slugs that took over the building in December 2018? Last year’s effort, meanwhile, brought a poignant cascade of fairy lights, plastic, and detritus to the building façade, inspired by the River Thames and the cyclical rhythms of nature that are imperilled by human action.
This year, artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman was put in charge, and drew on her Punjabi heritage and experiences of growing up as a working-class Liverpudlian to explore how South Asian identities develop in the context of modern Britain. Drawing on elements of Bollywood, feminism, and mythology, and prominently featuring uplifting words including “love”, “light”, and “truth”, her artwork – entitled ‘Remembering a brave new world’ – is a neon beacon for passers-by.
Neon sculptures as disparate as a tiger prowling the bannisters, and an ice cream van patrolling the steps make up Burman’s Diwali installation, which will now be in place until February 28. Whilst it’s breathtaking by night, there’s plenty to admire in the daylight too, as thousands of printed Rangoli patterns now adorn the steps, and images of deities can be found winding their way up the Tate Britain pillars.
Not only is it a glorious ode to multicultural Britain, in which London sports a truly incredible and diverse range of people, but it’s also an uplifting burst of light and colour at a time when we truly need it. If you happen to be passing by Tate Britain during the lockdown, it’s well worth a photoshoot!
You can see Chila Kumari Singh Burman’s installation until February 28, and it’s free to visit.
Also published on Medium.