Miami-based arts patrons and ARTnews Top 200 collectors Jorge M. and Darlene Pérez have made a major gift of artworks to London’s Tate Modern, which includes Iva (1973), a monumental triptych by Joan Mitchell.
The 20-foot-long painting, one of the artist’s most significant works, was unveiled Thursday. It now hangs alongside Mark Rothko’s Seagram Murals.
Tate director Maria Balshaw told the BBC on Thursday that the donation was “one of the most important” the institution has received, describing it as “transformational” in expanding public access to modern masterpieces.
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Joan Mitchell, a leading figure in Abstract Expressionism, would have turned 100 this year. Her work, often overshadowed by male contemporaries, has gained renewed recognition in recent years. Iva, originally dedicated to Mitchell’s dog, showcases her signature bold color fields and gestural brushwork.
UK Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant praised the gift, calling it a “spectacular” act of generosity that ensures Mitchell’s legacy remains accessible to all.
Jorge M. Pérez, a billionaire real estate developer, has donated or pledged more than $100 million to museums, including Miami’s major public art institution, which was renamed the Pérez Art Museum Miami in his honor. Speaking to the BBC, Pérez said he and his wife wanted their collection to be seen by as many people as possible, adding that Iva “resounds” when displayed next to Rothko. “And it’ll be there forever,” he added.
Beyond Iva, the Pérez donation includes a multimillion-dollar endowment for Tate’s curatorial research and a forthcoming gift of works by artists from Africa and the African diaspora, including Yinka Shonibare, El Anatsui, and Malick Sidibé. The couple emphasized the importance of championing female artists and diverse voices in shaping the global art landscape.