Show and Share Avant-Garde Ambassadors

Join us in Tate Britain's reading rooms for a talk on the surprising history of British art and diplomacy

For nine decades, the British Council has exhibited British art and craft in over 100 countries as part of its cultural relations mission. This talk uncovers surprising stories from its institutional archives - including material held in Tate Archive - to explore what role art can play in international diplomacy.

Discover why handcrafted teapots were shipped across the wartime Atlantic at great risk, why David Hockney's prints of naked men were refused entry to 1960s Mexico, why Iranian curators once wanted to display Damien Hirst's crucifixion sculpture, and why British folk art ended up near the North Korean border during a hydrogen bomb test. This talk draws from Annebella Pollen's 2024 book, Art without Frontiers: The Story of the British Council, Visual Arts and a Changing World.

Annebella Pollen is Professor of Visual and Material Culture at the University of Brighton and the author of six books of art history.









Accessibility




Tate Britain's step-free entrance is on Atterbury Street. It has automatic sliding doors and there is a ramp down to the entrance with central handrails.

Accessible, standard and Changing Places toilets are located on the Lower floor.Ear defenders can be borrowed from the ticket desk on the Lower floor.To help plan your visit to Tate Britain, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information about what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

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For more information before your visit:

Email hello@tate.org.ukCall +44 (0)20 7887 8888 (daily 10.00–17.00)Check all Tate Britain accessibility information