Looking Beyond the Surface: Reflections on Hurvin Anderson at Tate Britain

After a whirlwind visit to the Hurvin Anderson exhibition before co-hosting the Tate Late painting workshop inspired by his work, the 2Bornot2bcollective* crew reunited to experience the exhibition together.

As usual, I arrived early, I’ve never been one for cutting it fine, so I inevitably find myself with time to spare. This time, I used that opportunity to wander through the exhibition alone, keeping my phone firmly in my pocket.

When was the last time you truly gave yourself over to an exhibition? To an artist’s work? To really look, absorb, and sit with the power, dedication, and years of practice that artists pour into their craft?

Without the distraction of documenting every moment, I found myself noticing things I might otherwise have missed: the confidence of the brushstrokes, the richness of the colour palette, the careful balance of composition. Even before engaging with the deeper narratives, the paintings demanded attention through their sheer presence.

Anderson’s work, however, invites far more than visual appreciation. The faceless figures, the echoes of memory, history and place, carry a quiet but profound emotional weight. They leave the viewer wondering: Who is this person? What is their story? What has been left unsaid?

For those familiar with Anderson’s practice, these questions sit at the heart of his work. His paintings explore themes of belonging, identity and memory, questions that resonate deeply with many of us who navigate multiple cultural realities at once. The feeling of being both here and there, connected and disconnected, seen yet searching for where we truly fit.

It was a moving and thought-provoking experience, made even more special by sharing it with the 2B crew. A reminder that art is not simply something we look at; it is something we feel, question, and carry with us long after we leave the gallery.

*2bornot2bcollective is a Global Majority run life drawing group based in London that hold in person, online and hybrid sessions with one of the most largest diverse life drawing reference libraries online. We focus solely on uplifting marginalised bodies such as POC, trans and disabled bodies. I am a host tutor with 2bornot2bcollective and have had the joy and priveledge to host many amazing art sessions with my 2b family and I have incredible respect and remain indebted to Jess, the founder, for brining me into the 2B fold.