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An installation view of the Intergalactic Palace sculpture, with bits of torn sheet music and lights lining the walls.
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Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere

18 Jun – 1 Sep 2024

Encounter hidden figures, a ship floating on the London skyline and a walk-in encyclopaedia of lost pioneers in this vivid, exuberantly inventive exhibition.

Part of You Belong Here

Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere features immersive installations, fantastical sculptures, striking collages, moving neon works and live performances that are both playful and profound.

Marvel at the 14-metre-long Black Star Liner on the flooded roof of the Hayward Gallery, the sound-and-light show in the Intergalactic Palace, an Encyclopedia of Invisibility, and human figures made of glass and submerged in tanks of mineral oil to make ‘invisible’ sculptures.

The exhibition highlights Strachan’s innovative approach to celebrating unsung explorers and cultural pioneers, whose stories have often been overlooked due to bias. In shining a light on these hidden histories, the artist highlights our shared yearning for belonging and recognition.

From works about space exploration to the artist’s own treks to the North Pole, Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere takes visitors on a rich journey of discovery across time and space. In a multi-sensory exhibition that The Art Newspaper calls ‘an orchestra of the senses’, music provides a recurring point of inspiration.

Paintings and sculptures pay homage to musical giants ranging from Nina Simone to King Tubby, whilst the Black Star steamship blasts a lively radio programme DJ-ed straight from Jamaica.

James Baldwin wrote: ‘It is necessary, while in darkness, to know that there is a light somewhere’. Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere delivers that assurance. Art like this is the highest form of hope, and inspires us to move towards that light inside in order to share it with all those around us.

Need to know

Event information

There is a preparation story available for audience members who may benefit from preparing for the exhibition.
View the preparation story

Reviews

Selected works

Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere is kindly supported by the Exhibition Supporters’ Group: The Form Foundation; Max and Monique Burger and the TOY Family; Perrotin; Marian Goodman Gallery; Bridgitt and Bruce Evans; Mark Wadwha & 180 Strand; Burke Family Foundation; Mary and Daniel James; Tristin and Martin Mannion, Boston, MA; Simon Morris and Annalisa Burello; Sarah Cannon; Catherine Walsh; David Maclean; and those who wish to remain anonymous.

The public programme is kindly supported by the U.S. Embassy London. Additional support for the exhibition’s outdoor public artwork is provided by VIA Art Fund, and Glenstone Museum provided crucial funding for the exhibition catalogue.

Times & tickets

Dates, times and prices

Dates & times

18 Jun – 1 Sep 2024

Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm
Sat, 10am – 8pm
Sun, 10am – 6pm
Closed Mon

Standard entry

from £18 / Members & under-12s free*

* No booking fee

Book as early as you can to ensure the best choice of tickets. Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.

Concessions

Concessions available for full-time students, Lambeth residents, under-30s and recipients of Universal or Pension Credit, Tue – Fri & after 5pm on Sat.

Not available during the final week of the exhibition.

Limited availability

About concessions

For your visit

This event is held at the Hayward Gallery Southbank Centre

The Hayward Gallery is open six days a week.

Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 6pm
Saturday, 10am – 8pm
Sunday, 10am – 6pm

Dive Deeper

Explore the work further with insights from artists and curators

From the shop

Browse all our exhibition books, posters and gift ideas

Shop the exhibition collection