WHAT?  Isaac Julien: What Freedom is to Me 

WHERE? Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

WHEN? Now until 20th August 

WHY GO? To salute a pioneering filmmaker.  Award-winning Sir Isaac Julien has explored a whole variety of social issues from his early poetic documentary paying homage to Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes (1989) to his passionate immersive film focusing on the tragic tale of the Chinese migrant cockle pickers who perished on the coast of Lancashire, in Ten Thousand Waves (2010).

Representing forty years of his work, 11 films are presented on a loop in this dreamlike exhibition. Dip in and out, or make a day of it (there are comfy seats) but note, you could easily spend the whole day in front of a screen and still not absorb the context; his work is mystifyingly surreal. 

The multi talented film-maker is revered for his inspired and powerful film installations, and this is a good opportunity to delve into his mind set.

Check the Tate’s online tips for getting the most out of viewing videos in the gallery before you go.

IN THE KNOW  Meet the man himself. On 10th June, he will discuss the museum as a site for subversion and transgression. ‘In Conversation: Isaac Julien’ is free and part of the current Queer and Now festival dedicated to promoting the role of LGBTQI in art and culture.