From the City to the Southbank
I still remember my early years working in the City of London, when my first job at Neudata had its office right across from the Bank of England. The hustle of bankers in sharp suits, the historic architecture, and the buzzing rhythm of London life all became part of my daily backdrop. Yet what made that period even more enriching was the fact that London is a city where art is never far away.
After work, I often slipped into museums and galleries to recharge my spirit. From the Guildhall Art Gallery to the Barbican, the city seemed to constantly invite me to pause, reflect, and marvel. Among them, Tate Modern stood out as a sanctuary of creativity – a place where modern art feels alive, challenging, and beautifully accessible.
This time, after a delicious lunch at Eataly near Liverpool Street tube station, I decided to take a long walk towards Tate Modern. The route from the financial heart of London to the Southbank was a reminder of the city’s rich blend of old and new: centuries-old buildings standing beside modern skyscrapers, and the steady hum of the Thames guiding me closer to art.
Tate Modern: From Power Station to Global Art Icon
Tate Modern is a symbol of London’s reinvention. Located on Bankside, it occupies the former Bankside Power Station, an industrial giant designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott between 1947 and 1963. After the station shut down in 1981, the building lingered in uncertainty for more than a decade, until it was selected as the site for Tate’s new gallery of modern art in 1994.
Renowned Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron transformed the power station into a cultural powerhouse. They preserved the vast Turbine Hall – a cavernous space six stories high – and added sleek glass and steel structures to give the building a new identity. When Tate Modern opened its doors in May 2000, it immediately set a new standard for what an art museum could be in the 21st century.
The expansion didn’t stop there. In 2016, Tate Modern unveiled the Blavatnik Building (previously known as the Switch House), an extension rising above the Tanks, which were once oil storage units. This new tower provided fresh gallery spaces, performance areas, and even a viewing terrace with sweeping views across London’s skyline. Today, Tate Modern is not only one of the most visited museums in the world but also one of the most innovative.
The Collections: A Global Lens on Modern and Contemporary Art
Tate Modern is home to an extraordinary collection of modern and contemporary art, spanning from 1900 to the present day. Unlike traditional chronological displays, the museum organizes its collections thematically, creating thought-provoking juxtapositions.
You might walk from a Picasso cubist canvas to a Yayoi Kusama infinity mirror room, or from Henri Matisse’s cut-outs to immersive installations that challenge your perception of space and sound.
The museum’s structure makes exploration intuitive yet surprising:
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The Boiler House – Showcases art from the late 19th century through to contemporary works, offering a sweeping journey of modern creativity.
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The Switch House (Blavatnik Building) – Focuses on art created after 1960, with experimental and multimedia works that push boundaries.
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The Tanks – A striking underground space devoted to live art, film, and performance.
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The Turbine Hall – Perhaps the most iconic space, it regularly hosts large-scale installations that have become legendary in the contemporary art world.
My Encounter with Louise Bourgeois’ Maman
The moment I stepped into the Tate, my eyes widened at the sight of Louise Bourgeois’ monumental bronze spider sculpture, Maman (1999). Standing at over 10 meters tall, the sculpture evoked both awe and unease. Its spindly legs towered above visitors like an otherworldly creature, while the sac of marble eggs it carried under its body hinted at both fragility and protection.
For Bourgeois, the spider symbolized her mother – protective, clever, and resourceful, qualities often overlooked beneath a seemingly intimidating exterior. Standing beneath Maman, I felt a mix of admiration and discomfort. It reminded me that art isn’t always about beauty or comfort; sometimes it’s about truth, vulnerability, and the emotions we’d rather not confront.
This ability to provoke deep reflection is exactly why I admire Tate Modern so much. It doesn’t just display art – it invites you to feel, question, and connect.
Exploring the Turbine Hall: The Heart of Tate Modern
The Turbine Hall is one of the most distinctive spaces in the museum and perhaps in all of London. Once the central engine room of the power station, it stretches the entire length of the building and rises six stories high.
Over the years, it has hosted unforgettable installations, from Olafur Eliasson’s The Weather Project (2003), which filled the hall with a giant artificial sun, to Ai Weiwei’s Sunflower Seeds (2010), which spread millions of hand-crafted porcelain seeds across the floor. Each commission transforms the hall into a new world, offering visitors an immersive art experience that feels as much about the body as the mind.
Walking through the space this time, I was struck by its sheer scale and the way it continues to encourage imagination. It’s no wonder that Tate Modern remains one of the most visited museums in the UK.
The Museum Shop: A Piece of London to Take Home
Before leaving, I wandered into the museum shop, a vibrant space filled with books, prints, and unique art-inspired gifts. Knowing that many of my friends back home in Vietnam haven’t yet had the chance to visit London, I picked out a few souvenirs—something tangible to share a piece of my journey with them.
This simple act reminded me of why cultural experiences matter so much. They connect us not only to the artists and their visions but also to one another, across countries and cultures.
Beyond Tate Modern: London’s Rich Museum Landscape
One of the most beautiful aspects of London is how it has made art accessible to everyone. Many of its world-class museums offer free entry, from the British Museum to the National Gallery, and from the Science Museum to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).
The V&A, in particular, stands as a counterpart to Tate Modern. Founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, design, and performance. Its collections span over 5,000 years, from ancient ceramics to cutting-edge fashion. Housing more than 2.27 million objects, the V&A offers a sweeping look at human creativity across cultures and eras.
Like Tate Modern, the V&A is constantly evolving. Its galleries host blockbuster exhibitions—from fashion retrospectives to jewelry showcases like the Cartier Exhibition 2025, featuring over 350 objects that trace the maison’s history, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Why Tate Modern Remains Unforgettable
As I left the museum and stepped back into the London sunlight, I felt a wave of gratitude. Visiting Tate Modern isn’t just about seeing famous artworks – it’s about being reminded of the power of human creativity.
Every visit is different. One day you might lose yourself in the meditative cut-outs of Matisse, another day you might stand dwarfed by a spider that makes you reflect on your own childhood fears. Tate Modern is alive, constantly shifting with new exhibitions and perspectives.
For me, it was a journey back to the London I first knew as a young professional, hungry for culture and discovery. It was a reminder that even in a city as fast-paced as London, art gives us permission to slow down, feel, and think more deeply.
Tate Modern is a cultural landmark, a space where history and innovation meet, and where every visitor walks away with something different. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious, it’s a place that will surprise, challenge, and inspire you.
For me, it was both a nostalgic journey through familiar London streets and a fresh encounter with art that continues to evolve. From Bourgeois’ towering spider to the hum of the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern reminded me once again why London is one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.
And as I carried my souvenirs home, I felt grateful not only for the artworks I had seen but for the way museums like Tate Modern and the V&A keep the flame of creativity alive for all of us.