Anne Barlow has been director of Tate St Ives for five years, pioneering a series of major exhibitions focused on international women artists including Ad Minoliti and Thao Nguyen Phan, as well as shedding new light on the story of modernism and St Ives in the gallery’s collection displays. Previously, she worked as curator of education and media programmes at New York’s New Museum and curator of contemporary art and design at Glasgow Museums – a group of institutions that includes Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the city’s Gallery of Modern Art.
Anne has published with the Henry Moore Institute and the Sharjah Art Foundation, among others, and has advised organisations including the Rockefeller Foundation and the Mumbai Art Room. Her next major show is a retrospective of Barbara Hepworth’s work, including her Bicentric Form sculpture.
As a child I was captivated by stories of historic and futuristic worlds, and I read adventure novels about ancient Greece and Rome as well as science fiction, such as The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham. Margaret Atwood was also an early interest and I read many works by her, including Cat’s Eye and The Robber Bride.
What's everyone reading?
I’m currently reading Queer St Ives and Other Stories by Ian Massey, a fascinating insight into art histories of St Ives.
Right now, I’m listening to The Lark Ascending by English composer Vaughan Williams, as it reminds me of my father who died two years ago and who I miss dearly.
My all-time favourite piece of music is an impossible question to answer. Perhaps it’s the Glaswegian in me, as I’m drawn to everything from the deeply melancholic to the best dance music at any one time.
The television series I have obsessively watched over the past year include It’s a Sin, The Bureau, Small Axe, Maid and Succession. They’re all brilliant.
There are too many wonderful galleries in the world to choose a favourite, but the one that had the most formative impact on me was Glasgow Museums. My parents took me most weekends, to see everything from dinosaur bones to birds’ eggs, but the art collections led to my life-long passion.
My most-loved place in the world is the Isle of Skye. There’s something magical about it; the weather changes by the second and the scenery is breathtaking. Somehow I always end up there after the happiest or saddest moments in my life.
I collect very little. Before moving to Cornwall, I worked in New York for 17 years, so got used to living in tiny spaces.
Next, I’m travelling to Dhaka, Bangladesh in February 2023, to curate the Samdani Art Award for emerging artists, something I’m very excited about.
This year, I’m looking forward to spending time with the largest Barbara Hepworth exhibition we’ve ever presented at Tate St Ives. It’s a unique opportunity to see many of her most important works in an exhibition that also brings fresh perspectives on her varied interests in science, dance, theatre and politics. tate.org.uk
