Gilbert & George, The World of Gilbert & George

This self-portrait was crafted to complement one specific number of the deluxe edition of The World of Gilbert & George: The Storyboard, which was published by Enitharmon Press in 2001. The book contains the entire text of the duo’s feature-length film, released in 1981, along with approximately 900 illustrations depicting each scene and shot in the film.

Gilbert & George are a British artist duo who have been working together since the late 1960s. Gilbert Proesch and George Passmore met while studying at St. Martin’s School of Art in London and have since become known for their provocative and controversial work that often challenges societal norms and conventions. One of their most well-known works is titled The Singing Sculpture. Created in 1969, the performance piece features Gilbert & George dressed in suits, standing on a table, and singing the hymn “Underneath the Arches” while moving their arms and legs in a robotic manner. The piece challenges traditional notions of sculpture and performance, blurring the boundaries between the two. Another notable work by Gilbert & George is their “Drinking Pieces” series. Created in the early 1970s, the series consists of large-scale photographs of the artists holding alcoholic drinks and making provocative gestures. The images are meant to challenge societal taboos around alcohol and to critique the conservative attitudes of British society at the time. Gilbert & George are also known for their brightly colored and highly detailed “Pictures” series, which features a wide range of images and symbols from everyday life. The series has been described as a kind of visual diary, reflecting the artists’ experiences and observations of contemporary culture. Throughout their career, Gilbert & George have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to the art world. They were awarded the Turner Prize in 1986, and in 2017, they were the subject of a major retrospective at London’s Tate Modern museum.

Gilbert & George, The World of Gilbert & George