Tate Cafe

My son’s opinion follows…. Lots of Morden art that I couldn’t really understand. It was a good little stop from the cold outside and didn’t really plan to stay long. We looked downstairs and saw this Morden art. Upstairs was all kind of art 3D 2D and most of it was hilariously random. We walked into a room that said family’s welcome and drew a picture and made a tower with bricks. We didn’t really plan for the visit to be that long but in the end was very fun. The only bad thing is I couldn’t understand most of the art. It was free for most of it.

Tate Liverpool - A beautiful gallery full of contemporary art What is Tate Liverpool? Tate Liverpool is an art gallery that is located in the heart of Liverpool. They hold a number of exhibitions, festivals and displays that take place throughout the year. Exhibitions JMW Turner with Lamin Fofana: Dark Waters This Exhibition presents JMW Turner’s work in a new immersive way with music created by Lamin Fofana. Turners artwork is truly incredible in transporting us to the seas. It features beautiful details of ships and breath taking landscapes. In addition, the music brings the works to life and adds a sprinkle of magic. It was also relatable in the issues that they represented and this included the power and politics of the ocean. They also focused on the dangers of the waters around the British Coast. This was done with simplicity and style. However most of the artwork were of ships and boats. I would have loved to have seen some variety in the works such as including people or conveying their body language in the artworks. It would also have been more engaging if there was some video footage or to have a interactive element included too. Ideas Depot The Ideas Depot is a dynamic collection of artwork that is chosen with primary school children that is designed to be enjoyed by everyone no matter what their age is. This was one of the highlights of the visit as it had an eclectic collection of artwork that was unique and eye-catching. Some used everyday kitchen utensils to create a piece of art that was exciting. Some of the artwork that caught my eye was a camera that took the same scene in different angles, a staircase that was quirky and more. It was engaging and it makes you appreciate art in new ways. The Liverpool Biennial It was the biggest collection of artwork where it is created using objects that you use on a regular basis. Some that stood out and were intriguing was a chair made out of beads and a piece that was made out of cuscus. Incredible. It is contemporary art at its best and it uses your imagination in mindboggling ways. Entry and Pricing Entry to the collections at Tate Liverpool is free of charge. In relation to the special exhibitions then you are required to book a timed slot and pay online. For further details then check out the Tate Liverpool website. Facilities Tate Liverpool has a café that serves a selection of sandwiches and hot meals. They also offer hot and cold drinks too. It is on the pricey side. An alternative is the food and drink vans near the Docks to which you can sit down to eat whilst enjoying the lovely views. Toilets are on site. Lighting and Access Lighting at the JMW Turner Exhibition was OK but was not great as some aspects were done in dim lighting. Despite this we overcome the challenge to the best of my ability. The lighting in the collections was decent and I could see most of the artwork which helped me to enjoy my experience here. In relation to access at Tate Liverpool there are stairs and lifts to all floors so if you have mobility issues then use the lifts as it would be easier to navigate. Parking Tate Liverpool does not have its own designated car park however there is plenty of pay and display parking near the Docks and Museum. Payment is required even if you have a Blue Badge. If you love contemporary art that is engaging and fun that plays with your mind and senses then Tate Liverpool is the place for you.

The galleries of the Tate are so well laid out. On this visit there were a number of pieces that were lighted to display the shadows of the pieces, adding a different dimension. We were lucky to talk to a Tate employee in the 4th floor gallery who explained to us how the piece we were looking at was constructed. That made the experience so much more enjoyable. Hard to believe it's free to view most of the galleries. The Tate also has a cafe which serves really good food. Another great feature is the availability of free lockers. This was really helpful, as we were headed to the train from there.

The Tate Liverpool is a great space and well worth a visit (or more as it’s free!) It’s in a good location on the Royal Albert Dock with easy access for pushchairs and wheelchairs etc although on my visit today the lift down to the toilets was broken. The Reception has free lockers which was really handy to leave our bags whilst we explored the free exhibitions. It was surprisingly quiet today (Thursday morning) but that meant that we could get close to the exhibition pieces and there was no queueing. I would definitely visit again!

On point: Liverpool Tate Museum visited this location numerous times, and each time I learned something new and found its history to be fascinating. Lots of information, pleasant employees, a warm, well-kept building, and accurate information for every item. Everybody who wants to see history should go to this museum.