Little Simz to Curate Tate Modern
On the last Saturday in August, Tate Modern Lates launches a unique collaboration with award-winning rapper, singer and actor Little Simz, who will take over the gallery with a specially curated evening of music, conversations, workshops and more. Not only will Simz be designing this exclusive night, but visitors will also have the chance to hear from the acclaimed artist herself, as she joins celebrated broadcaster Clara Amfo to discuss her inspirations, relationship with visual art and creativity in her much-loved hometown of London.
Each month, Tate Modern Lates offer visitors a free evening of art, music, film and more, where like-minded people can come together in the heart of London’s cultural landscape. For one night only, Little Simz will take the reins of August’s programme, with an exciting line-up that celebrates London’s creative talent as well as the culture, individuals and collectives who inspire her.
Little Simz’ renowned choreographer and movement director Kloé Dean will lead an exclusive dance workshop in the South Tank, encouraging everyone to get dancing. Visitors will be able to put their moves into action with the DJ sets that follow, all selected by Little Simz. Names such as Tash LC, Keyrah, NARX, Donch, Drybabe, Nunguja, ELLADHC and Laolu will soundtrack the night, playing tunes throughout the building, including the gallery’s iconic Turbine Hall.
Visionary artist and stage designer Es Devlin will be speaking about what inspires her as part of the night’s Art Chats, alongside other leading creatives including novelist Caleb Azumah Nelson and renowned painter, skateboarder & artist Slawn. For those looking to create their own art, multidisciplinary artist and illustrator Fiona Quadri will lead a Zine workshop, while Jadore Nicholas of JK Cartoon Studios will guide visitors in a cartoon colouring session and writer Caroline Adeyemi will unlock inner reflections through poetry and prose.
Swatch Social space supported by Swatch will be open throughout the night, where visitors can meet artist Elena Ooijman and take part in collective breathing and movement sessions.
Little Simz said “I’m incredibly excited to be curating an evening at Tate Modern. It’s going to be really special. Being able to invite people from all different walks of life into the space to connect through art is powerful. I hope people feel inspired, uplifted and moved by the experience.”
About Little Simz
Little Simz is the boundary-breaking lyricist who leads the way on her own terms. A multi-award winner – collecting Brit Awards, MOBOs and an Ivor Novello – across mixtapes/EPs and five critically acclaimed albums, Simz’ music documents her story, her journey, her becoming – and in turn, her generation.
2021’s Mercury Music Prize winning record “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” catapulted Simz, landing in the top 5 of the Official Album chart, followed by 2022’s surprise drop of “NO THANK YOU”. 2023 saw Simz continue to carve her own lane as an acclaimed actor, returning in the final series of the Netflix drama series Top Boy, and play her biggest UK, European and US live shows to date. Most recently, Simz performed on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage in the penultimate slot on the Saturday night to acclaim across the board.
Listings information
Tate Modern Late: Little Simz
Saturday 31 August
18.00-22.00
Free. No ticket is required for admission to the Lates. Book to see the exhibitions YOKO ONO MUSIC OF THE MIND, Zanele Muholi, Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and The Blue Rider and Anthony McCall which will also be open late. Most events are drop-in, but the following require a free ticket which are available to book from the Tate website from 14.00 on 31 August:
Ticketed
Talk: Little Simz and Clara Amfo in Conversation
Starr Cinema, Natalie Bell Building, Level 1
20.00–21.15
The curator herself, Little Simz, joins us for a conversation with broadcaster Clara Amfo. The conversation will commence with an exclusive screening.
*Requires a free ticket, available to book online here from 14.00 on Friday 30 August
Workshop: Dance with Kloé Dean
South Tank, Blavatnik Building, Level 0
18.00–19.00
Join a dance workshop from choreographer and Little Simz’s own Movement Director Kloé Dean, who uses movement as a way to communicate often unspoken feelings, experiences and stories. Suitable for all levels of experience, comfortable clothing recommended.
*Requires a free ticket, available to book online here from 14.00 on Friday 30 August
Talks: Art Chats
Blavatnik Building, Level 5
Artists, filmmakers, designers and writers give a quick but deep dive into their creative practice and journeys, hosted by Natalie Suliman-Richardson.
18.30–19.10 Martine Rose, Slawn and Teoni
19.30–20.10 Es Devlin, Jeremy Ngatho Cole and Tino Schaedler
20.30–21.10 Benedict Lombe, Caleb Azumah Nelson and Ntando Brown
All Art Chats will be BSL interpreted
*Each talk requires a free ticket, available to book online here from 14.00 on Friday 30 August
Workshop: Zine Making with Fiona Quadri
Blavatnik Building, Level 6
18.30–19.30
Artist Fiona Quadri guides you through her zine making practice. Hear about the artist’s inspirations and a short history of zine making while you create your own takeaway zine.
*Requires a free ticket, available to book online here from 14.00 on Friday 30 August
Workshop: Mindful Movement with Ayanna Birch
Blavatnik Building, Level 6
20.00–21.00
Connect with your intuitive senses and regain emotional and physical balance using the art of bodywork, hosted by Movement Director and Practitioner Ayanna Birch. Suitable for all levels of experience, comfortable clothing recommended.
*Requires a free ticket, available to book online here from 14.00 on Friday 30 August
Drop-in
Music: DJ Sets Programmed by Little Simz
18.00–19.30 Tash LC
20.00–21.30 Keyrah
Music: DJ Sets Programmed by Little Simz
South Tank, Blavatnik Building, Level 0
19.00–20.00 Narx
20.00–21.30 ELLADHC
Music and Drinks: DJ Sets Programmed by Little Simz
Terrace Bar, Blavatnik Building Level 1
18.00–19.00 Drybabe
19.00–20.00 Nunguja
20.00–21.30 Marla
Music and Drinks: DJ Sets Programmed by Little Simz
Corner Café, Natalie Bell Building, Level 1
18.00–19.00 Ken Styles
19.00–19.30 PÉJÚ
19.30–20.30 LAOLU
20.30–22.00 DIBS
Workshop: Reflections with Caroline Adeyemi
Blavatnik Building, Level 4
18.00–21.30
Find your voice with writer Caroline Adeyemi who leads a guided writing workshop for you to express your inner reflections.
Digital Display: About the Curator
Blavatnik Building, Level 4
18.00–21.30
Watch a series of short videos featuring Little Simz to uncover the artist’s journey.
Workshop: JK in Jadoodleland – Colour and Create with the JK Cartoon Studios
Natalie Bell Building, Level 4
18.00–21.30
Join the artist JK in Jadoodleland and experience the therapeutic power of art in a world inspired by his signature characters, The Jadoodles. Colour, draw, explore facial expressions and create your own cartoon characters in an evening hosted by the JK Cartoon Studios.
Talks: 10 Minute Talks
Various times, throughout the building
Staff and volunteers from across Tate share their personal insights into works from the collection.
Social Space: Parachute Games After Dark at Swatch Social
Tanks Studio, Blavatnik Building, Level 0
18.00–21.30
Find new connections with fellow visitors at Swatch Social. Join artist Elena Ooijman to decorate giant parachutes, take part in collective movement sessions and play games together.
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