Homing Maria Balshaw on Creative Rebellion, Life After the Tate & The House as a Container
Mar 19, 2026
Maria Balshaw, former Director of Tate and seasoned museum leader, reflects on home, gardening and family life. She talks about transforming a layered Kent house, year-round vegetable growing, daily sea swims and caring for her mother at home. She also discusses stepping down from a high-profile role to reclaim time and how the house holds love, loss and creativity.
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Garden Work As An Antidote To Frenzy
- Gardening and an allotment became Maria's counterbalance to a high-energy, travel-heavy career.
- She chose year-round vegetable growing and steady practices like yoga and swimming to root her life.
Imposter Syndrome Keeps Institutions Grounded
- Imposter syndrome can be a useful reminder that institutions aren't about one person but about public stewardship.
- Maria used her outsider perspective to keep museums focused on audiences unfamiliar with galleries.
Buying A Layered Kent House For The Garden
- Maria bought a layered Kent house despite its overgrown, ramshackle state because she fell for the orchard and pear trees.
- She rescued the medieval core, Georgian wrapping and 1940s additions and prioritised the garden over her original modern-house brief.