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Charity?
The Tate Gallery has been censured by the Charity Commission because it has purchased works of art by its own trustees.
This follows last year’s ‘technical error’ when it sought money from the National Art Collection Fund to aid the purchase of The Upper Room by Chris Ofili, another trustee.
Why exactly is the Tate Gallery considered to be a charity? Is it because there’s a ludicrous notion that art is special and needs to be hoarded, preserved and maintained, excepting itself from usual commercial issues. If so, what of art that gets commissioned, or contemporary art that gets purchased by a gallery shortly after it has been made?
Perhaps I should apply for charitable status for my music collection.
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