Homing In

‘I go to bed thinking about it’: why Tate Modern director Frances Morris returns to her childhood home for therapy, comfort and communions with late family

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Episode notes

Where does our spirit go when we die? Frances Morris has this question figured out: she will return to the home in which she was born, a Georgian house abreast the Meridian Line in Greenwich. In this deeply personal conversation, Frances explains why her childhood home has such an emotional hold over her.

Southeast London has been the backdrop to her whole life, and it's fitting that she has worked at the forefront of its most important cultural institution: Tate Modern. Not only was she the gallery's first female director, but Frances has also redefined the perception of female artists, spearheading retrospectives of Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Agnes Martin and others. Frances joined the Tate back in 1987, and has devoted almost her entire career to it, being appointed director of Tate Modern in 2016. Shortly before we recorded this podcast, it was announced that she will be leaving for pastures new. I've come to meet her in her office within the bowels of the gallery, and, understandably, she is in reflective mood.

This is one of the most memorable conversations I've ever had. Frances feels like someone I've known for ever, and her background and story have significant parallels with my own. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This conversation was recorded in person at the Tate Modern.

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This episode was produced by Kate Taylor of Feast Collective and Hannah Phillips of The Modern House. It was mixed by Joshua Munday. Music is by Father.

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