Time out at Tate

A rare opportunity to visit Tate Modern and Tate Britain. Both galleries have expanded and altered in recent years so plenty of new experiences.

At Tate Modern a huge new display space has been opened up in the tanks of the old Bankside Power Station. Currently this area is home to five installations collectively entitled Voices. Favourites were The Unfinished Conversation and Forty Part Motet with Wetin You Go Do? a close third. The atmosphere in this subterranean space is calming and cathedral-like as the sounds from the different installations reverberate in the central space.

Tate Britain has also undergone major refurbishment enabling the display of more works from the collection. In the main galleries visitors are invited to Walk Through British Art as they make their way around the nine galleries. More light, more space, more paintings. Definitely a big improvement.

Currently an exhibition of the work of cinematic artist Ray Harryhausen displays the apocalyptic paintings of John Martin and the fantastical drawings of Gustave Dore alongside models, set designs, posters and clips from films including Clash of the Titans and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. Interesting links and great fun.

Change too in the Clore Gallery. Originally housing the works of J.MW. Turner bequeathed to the nation by the artist himself, the gallery is now home to a permanent space given over to the display of Tate's extensive collection of work by William Blake. Occupying two small, dimly lit rooms at the top of the Clore (Blake's works are fragile), William Blake and his Legacy shows works by the artist himself with later works by artists influenced by his style and preoccupations. Chief among these is Cecil Collins but Stanley Spencer and Graham Sutherland both make an appearance.

Tate Modern's expansion has led to a rearrangement of the restaurant spaces. The Kitchen & Bar (previously the 6th Floor restaurant) still does an excellent meal with great views over the Thames. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the Café at Tate Britain which remains disappointing on every level.

Canterbury Tales

Canterbury's Beaney Gallery turned up some unexpected gems on a recent visit. Henry's Demons is a collection of work depicting the artist's experience of mental illness while Drawn to the Light is a collection of fine drawings made of the city's famous cathedral. While Grace Ayson's calm drawings capture the stillness and elegance of the centuries old place of worship, Henry Cockburn's spikey paintings celebrate the possibility of recovery for those struggling with mental health issues.

Works in the permanent collection on display include those associated in some way with the city - Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims and the murder of Thomas Becket in the cathedral were particular themes. Among the rest Sara Wicks' Angel over Canterbury, American artist Henry Gibbs' The Judgement of Solomon and a striking carved Crucifixion by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.

Worth a visit and cheaper than visiting the cathedral!