Tate Modern Sets New Mark in Representing Women Artists

21 September 2026

Tate Modern has committed to a historic level of representation for women artists in its collection displays and upcoming program. Eighty percent of the works and half of all solo exhibits in the rehung displays feature women from more than 50 nations. That's a significant increase from the figures recorded prior to the museum's 2000 opening.

The new displays have tripled the space devoted to women in its permanent collection, which holds 800 works by 300 artists. "It's time to recognise the rich all-female history of modern and contemporary art," said Tate's head of modern and contemporary British art Frances Morris in a statement.

The rehang actively places women artists in the foreground, with half of 52 solo displays dedicated to women. The rest show works by 250 women alongside men, paired to reflect how women have often been excluded from the dominant Euro-American canon.

Morris emphasized the aim to give more attention to women artists and artists from outside Europe and North America. "There are many artists that are waiting to enter the story, and we will discover them more and more," she said.

Morris also underscored the importance of a wider perspective: "It's not just about having amazing women in the space; it's about telling a different story."

The focus continues in Tate Modern's upcoming 2026 program, which will include exhibitions dedicated to Frida Kahlo, Ana Mendieta, and Tracey Emin. The Frida Kahlo exhibition, Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon, is scheduled to run from 25 June 2026 to 4 January 2027, with the Ana Mendieta exhibition running concurrently from 9 July 2026 to 10 January 2027.

The focus on women artists has been building for years at Tate. An established public-facing section titled "Women and Art" on its website puts women artists in the foreground. Last year, Tate Modern held a major exhibition of Aboriginal artist Emily Kam Kngwarray, reflecting the rehang's emphasis on a wider artistic scope.

These moves position Tate Modern at the forefront of museums assessing and reshaping the canon, both through its collection and exhibitions. While it may take years for the public perception of modern art history to catch up, Tate Modern is being deliberate in making women artists citeable and indispensable.