TATE


TATE

Bob and Roberta Smith

Bob Smith

Biography

Bob and Roberta Smith believe that art plays a powerful role in democratic systems, both as a forum for free speech and as a workshop to explore new futures. Bob and Roberta Smith signwrite their ideas on pieces of old timber they find in skips. Their work has been shown extensively internationally. Recent shows include, Paul Thek in the Context of Today's Contemporary Art, ZKM and I was up all night making this Cezare Manzo Gallery, Rome. In their books, Art U Need, (Black Dog Press) and Hijack Reality, (CT Editions), they explore their central belief that, 'people have culture, they don't need artists to make culture for them. People should make their own damn art.'

Bob and Roberta Smith believe 'Art' allows people to get out of the trench of existence and see how the land really lies. Bob and Roberta's favourite Artist is Hogarth.

Why I wanted to become a Tate Trustee

In Britain our industries are long dead, our sportsmen always disappoint, the banks are finished, almost the last thing we do well is Culture! This is largely due to one gallery, Tate. It's a no brainer, of course I would want to support Tate and be a trustee.

British Culture is amazing. With every new migrant British culture becomes stronger. New food, new languages, new music, new ways of being and new Art. Life in British cities is an amazing display, not just of tolerance, but of celebration. Tate reflects and enables all of this, that's why it's such a great institution to be associated with.

As a provider of amazing cultural experiences to the public Tate is as important as the BBC.

Appointment Information

Appointed by: Prime Minister

Appointment: 20 July 2009

Term expires: 19 July 2013

Other Membership:

Declaration of Members' Interests between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011

Employment1

Artist

Directorships of companies2

nil

Membership of non-profit making organisations3

nil

Shareholding4

nil

Connections between Trustees and others connected with Tate5

nil

Any other interests6

In April 2010 I was commissioned by Tate’s Regeneration and Community Partnerships team to make a sign ‘Tate Modern and You’ for the front cover of the Tate Modern 10th anniversary Bankside newsletter.  No payment was received by me for the sign.

In March 2011 I created a series of hand-painted signs to be given away as prizes to the winning team at the Tate Patrons annual quiz, an event I have been involved with previously.

Signed by Patrick Brill AKA Bob and Roberta Smith on 10 April 2011

Notes:

  1. Employment, remunerated trade, profession, public office or consultancy
  2. Directorships of companies, both public and private, both remunerated and unremunerated
  3. Membership of non-profit making organisations, clubs or associations and professional bodies which have significant dealings with Tate or whose activities could relate to Tate's work
  4. Names of companies and organisations in which the member or his/her family or associates has a controlling interest or shares or securities and which could be involved in the supply of goods or have business dealings with Tate
  5. This includes commercial interests with other Trustees, Tate’s lawyers (Withers; Linklaters; Brachers) and Tate’s auditors (National Audit Office; RSM Bentley and Grant Thornton).
  6. Trustees are advised to declare anything which a member of the public, knowing the facts, might reasonably think is significant and relevant.
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