modern art makes me want to rock out

hidden away on on the south lawn, a presumably often unused piece of grass, behind tate modern (away from the river) are a group of portacabins. you'd be forgiven for thinking they were something to do with the renovation work going on in the gallery. there's not a great deal of signs or fuss made about it. but in the inconspicuous temporary exhibition is a collection of work with more passion, emotion and meaning than pretty much anything you'd find inside the bankside power station, or at mr saatchi's collection in county hall. shrinking childhoods has been created by a group of kids who haven't had the greatest of starts to life. whether through abuse, drugs, violence and mental illness. there's a room made by crack addicts, one by victims of sexual assault, another by victims of parental neglect. and each room tells a story that's even more moving because it's real. it's be impossible to see this stuff and not be moved. if a cold-hearted cynical bastard like me is, then any living, breathing person should be. these kids have shared their stories, which, judging by the work and texts accompanying them, must have been incredibly difficult, brave and courageous. just as appalling as the work itself and the lives these kids have been forced for live with, are the stats which are spread around the exhibit. these kids aren't in the situations they're in through any fault of their own - it's the people who are meant to care for them the most that have let them down. shrinking childhoods is the work of tate modern and childrens charity KidsCo so don't get any funding off the state. it's there until the middle of february so make sure you get down there and check it out. read the messages that people have written on the boards, write your own. just be there and support it. these kids should be given a voice and it's our responsibility to listen. i realise this probably sounds a bit wanky compared the usual tone of this shit but, fuck, life's ain't always about spam and buskers.