Tate Modern + Tate Britain
Many of you growing up in the 1960's and 70's would appreciate the main picture in this post. Pop Art became a thing in the 1960's, using imagery found in mass media to comment on social and political issues of the day. This work, along with many others can be found at the Tate Modern in London.
In addition to Pop Art, there's many other standing collections in a building that was once a derelict power station. There's even an entire collection dedicated to Australia, telling the story of the Aborigines and the influence that British colonialism had on the natives.
This painting, The Founding of Australia 1788 by Algernon Talmage is a classic work telling the story of the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove.
Below is a painting by the one of the more prolific artists of the time, Andy Warhol. It uses imagery from the advertisement for a night light. Warhol was a devout catholic which, as you well imagine posed significant complications due to his homosexuality. Many of his later works included Christian imagery, often with a sense of irony.
This artwork was created during the time when the HIV epidemic swept across America, claiming the lives of many of his personal and professional circles in New York.
As the name suggests, the Tate Modern houses many modern style artworks whereas the Tate Britain gallery hosts a collection of the more traditional style paintings and sculpture by the famous English sculptor Henry Moore.
Both art galleries are worth visiting and are within easy reach of a Tube station (plus a little walking). Both galleries are free to enjoy. Cafe's, toilets and gift shops are located in each of the galleries.
Above is a portrait painting of Queen Anne in 1706 by Edmund Lilly. What I love about paintings of this era is it gives you a good appreciation of the fashion of the times.
Here is a painting by Richard Wilson, painted in 1744 showing the building of the Westminster Bridge, which began construction in 1738, opening in 1750.
