The winter months can feel a little dull, dark and heavy. The solution? Seek out joy in all its glorious forms. And one of them is, undoubtedly, the capital’s world-renowned galleries. Often magnificent buildings in their own rights, these free public spaces are a wonderful source of hope, healing and inspiration. Ready to soothe those seasonal blues? Here are seven reasons to visit Tate Modern and Tate Britain this winter.
1. Slow down and feel the feels
With so many incredible works on show it can be tempting to rush round a gallery, trying to take in as much as possible – but don’t. Curators and critics advocate the experience can be enhanced through “slow looking” (when you take your time to get to know a single piece of artwork in detail). Next time you’re drawn to a particular work, try sitting with it; close your eyes for two minutes, clear your mind, and then take in all of its details, rather than rushing on to the next. Not sure where to start? John Constable’s immersive Hampstead Heath with a Rainbow, housed in Tate Britain, is a brilliant candidate. Chances are a whole narrative will evolve in your head as your brain sheds its preconceived ideas, absorbing details you’d miss at a glance.
