The creation of Tate Modern condemned Tate Britain to decline, but its many flaws will not be solved by sacking its director, any more than Man United will benefit from losing David Moyes
The Sunday Times art critic Waldemar Januszczak recently called for Penelope Curtis, director of Tate Britain, to go. Not just to change her approach to exhibitions, but actually to depart. Today the Telegraph's critic Richard Dorment responds. He insists that Curtis has done a brilliant job in rehanging the permanent collection at Tate Britain. She's also picked up the backing of the Art Fund, which has included Tate Britain on its Museum of the Year shortlist.
They are all wrong. Dorment and the Art Fund are in denial. Tate Britain is nobody's favourite museum. It has deep-seated problems. Yet, equally, Januszczak is wrong to blame them exclusively on Curtis, or to think her departure would change things.
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Published on April 29, 2014 08:22