SEOUL/LONDON, March 4, 2025 – In a momentous announcement today, Hyundai Motor Company and Tate revealed that Máret Ánne Sara, the acclaimed Northern Sámi artist, will create the tenth Hyundai Commission at Tate Modern’s iconic Turbine Hall. Set to open to the public on October 14, 2025, and run until April 6, 2026, this new site-specific installation will be the first major exhibition by Sara in the UK, marking a powerful chapter in her journey as a leading voice in global ecological and cultural discourse.
Born into a Sámi reindeer herding family in Guovdageaidnu, Norway, Sara’s practice reflects a deep engagement with the complex relationship between indigenous heritage, environmental preservation, and the impacts of Nordic colonialism. The artist is renowned for creating sculptures and installations that fuse materials and traditions drawn from her reindeer herding practices, exploring the reciprocal relationship between humans, animals, land, and water. Through her work, Sara challenges the historical erasure of Sámi culture, aiming not only to bring awareness to the contemporary issues faced by the Sámi people but to spark tangible change in how we perceive the environment and its protection.
Karin Hindsbo, Director of Tate Modern, praised Sara’s inclusion in the Hyundai Commission series, recognizing her as a part of a growing group of Sámi artists making visible the struggles of the Sámi community and the importance of cultural continuity. “By addressing major social, ecological, and political concerns, Máret Ánne Sara’s work offers us both a profound challenge and an opportunity for reflection,” Hindsbo said. “I’m confident her installation will be an awe-inspiring transformation of the Turbine Hall that will resonate deeply with audiences.”
As Tate prepares for Sara’s bold installation, Hyundai Motor and Tate also announced the extension of their transformative partnership until 2036. This collaboration, initially founded in 2014, has become one of the longest-standing corporate partnerships in Tate’s history, and it continues to support the Hyundai Commission as well as the Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational. Hyundai’s commitment to this relationship reflects their shared dedication to enhancing cultural understanding, offering fresh perspectives on contemporary art, and advancing research that transcends generational, geographical, and disciplinary boundaries.
Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, expressed the company’s pride in the ongoing partnership, stating, “Over the last decade, our collaboration with Tate has cultivated a dynamic space for dialogue and exchange that reflects the ever-changing global landscape. By reaffirming our commitment, we hope to continue inspiring future generations through the arts.”
The Hyundai Commission has become one of the world’s premier platforms for showcasing bold, innovative artwork, attracting millions of visitors each year. Since its inception, it has featured some of the most captivating and thought-provoking works of contemporary art. From Kara Walker’s monumental fountain to Anicka Yi’s floating artificial lifeforms, the Hyundai Commission has challenged and expanded the boundaries of what is possible within the vast industrial space of the Turbine Hall.
Alongside the Hyundai Commission, the Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational has played a crucial role in reshaping Tate’s approach to global art histories. Established in 2019, the Centre has been instrumental in diversifying Tate’s exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming. By challenging Eurocentric narratives and offering new perspectives, the Centre has reshaped art history, with highlights including exhibitions focused on Surrealism, contemporary British art from Caribbean viewpoints, and the intersections of art and technology. The Centre’s groundbreaking work will continue to expand in 2025, culminating in the first major European exhibition of Emily Kam Kngwarray at Tate Modern, opening on July 10, 2025.
The continued success of this partnership reflects a shared belief in the power of art to transcend boundaries and forge new dialogues. As Hyundai Motor and Tate look toward the next decade of collaboration, Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, emphasized the importance of such innovative and forward-thinking partnerships. “Hyundai’s remarkable support has allowed us to diversify and expand Tate’s vision in ways that would not have been possible otherwise,” Balshaw said. “This continued commitment will ensure that Tate remains at the forefront of cultural innovation, inspiring new ways of thinking for years to come.”
The Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational’s contributions to Tate’s exhibitions, such as the upcoming symposium in November 2025, will further explore interconnected themes of matrilineage, rematriation, and ancestral knowledge, continuing to push the boundaries of art, culture, and scholarship into the future.
As we prepare for Máret Ánne Sara’s transformative work at Tate Modern, the extension of the Hyundai partnership offers exciting possibilities for deepening our engagement with art, culture, and the pressing issues of our time. With a shared commitment to nurturing diverse voices and fostering dialogue, Hyundai and Tate’s continued collaboration promises to be a beacon of cultural enrichment for decades to come.
