The exhibition traces key phases in the work of Terry Atkinson, one of the foremost British artists of recent decades, recently acquired by the Tate Gallery in London. While situated within international conceptual art, Atkinson’s work is distinctive for translating deep theoretical content into a visually striking language.
In 1968, Atkinson co-founded Art & Language with David Bainbridge, Michael Baldwin, and Harold Hurrell, a group committed to challenging established practices and representations within the art system. Between 1968 and 1982, the group brought together nearly fifty artists. Over time, however, Atkinson recognized that certain dynamics no longer reflected his perspective. From 1974, he shifted from the collective “We” to the individual “I.”
His work investigates the present and its dynamics, intertwining reflections on war – as a form of political action – with a sustained inquiry into the language of art itself. For over sixty years, Atkinson has connected human history and aesthetics, creating works in which images, symbols, and texts reveal the often hidden power embedded in every message.
On view are iconic series such as Enola Gay, Grease Works, Goya Series, and American Civil War, alongside the powerful Russell series works and an extensive collection of drawings from the 1960s, offering a comprehensive overview of Atkinson’s artistic journey.

Featured image: Terry Atkinson, RUSSEL 6, “I” is the Biography to which “this” belongs, 1995