Tate Winter Commission: Chila Kumari Singh Burman
Chila Kumari Singh Burman transforms the front of Tate Britain into a colourful neon art display.
This mesmerising installation immediately lures the eye of passers-by with its vivid colours and neon lights standing out against the greyness of winter in London. 'Remembering a brave new world', combines Hindu mythology, Bollywood imagery, colonial history and personal memories. Inspired by the artist’s childhood visits to the Blackpool illuminations and her family’s ice-cream van, Burman covers the already iconic façade of Tate Britain with vinyl, bling and lights. She changes the figure of Britannia, a symbol of British imperialism, into Kali, the Hindu goddess of liberation and power. The many illuminated deities, shapes and words are joined by Lakshmibai, the Rani (queen) of Jhansi. Lakshmibai was a fierce female warrior in India’s resistance to British colonial rule in the 19th century.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the light installation was extended past its original closing date in January, giving more people the opportunity to see the spectacle and for it to continue to brighten up the surrounding area during such difficult times. The winter commission is now expected to close on 28th February 2021 and to be dismantled soon after.
