Gilbert & George (b. 1942-1943)

Gilbert & George began creating art together in 1967 when they met at St Martins School of Art, where they made themselves the centre of their art as LIVING SCULPTURE. For them, everything is potential subject matter for their art, and they have always addressed social issues, taboos and artistic conventions. Implicit in their art is the idea that an artist’s sacrifice and personal investment is a necessary condition of art. They have depicted themselves naked, recasting the male nude as something vulnerable and fragile rather than as a potent figure of strength. The backdrop and inspiration for much of their art is the East End of London where Gilbert & George have lived and created art for nearly 50 years. From street signs to Ginkgo trees, from chewing gum on the pavements to vistas of urban grandeur and decay, their art is an ongoing portrait of our world, a reflection on the human condition and their belief that the purpose of art is to form our futures. Gilbert & George continue to confront the fundamental issues of existence: death, hope, life, fear, sex, money, race and religion.

Gilbert & George live and work in London. Together they have participated in many important group and solo exhibitions including 51st International Venice Biennale (2005), Turner Prize (1984) and Carnegie International (1985). They have had extensive solo exhibitions, including; Whitechapel Gallery, London (1971-1972); National Gallery, Beijing (1993); Shanghai Art Museum (1993); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (1995-96); Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (1998); Serpentine Gallery, London (2002); Kunsthaus Bregenz (2002); Kestnergesellschaft, Hannover (2004-05); Tate Modern, London, Haus der Kunst, Munich (both 2007); Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art (both 2008); CAC Malaga, Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels (all 2010); Deichtorhallen, Hamburg, Kunstmuseum Linz (both 2011); Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art, Gdansk (2011-2012); Museum Kuppersmuhle, Duisberg (2012); Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter (2014) and Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) Tasmania, (2015-16).

Profile

Born: 1942-1943

Nationality: British

Gender: Male

Preferred media: Sculpture

Works by Gilbert & George in the RA Collection

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Associated books

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