Gilbert & George: 55 Years of Art and Life as One
Gilbert Prousch and George Passmore, collectively known as Gilbert & George, first crossed paths in 1967 at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and have remained together ever since. They perceive themselves as a unified artistic entity, having lived and created art side by side for over 55 years. Their initial works, such as the 1970 performance 'The Singing Sculpture', broke boundaries by merging their lives with art. They later transitioned to photography and video, using provocative themes to challenge societal norms. Their expansive photographs resemble stained glass windows and strive for a taboo-free world. Their art has been showcased globally, including at White Cube in London, featuring significant works like 'Was Jesus Heterosexual?' (2005) and 'Blood Tears Spunk Piss' (1996).
Key facts
- Gilbert Prousch and George Passmore met in 1967 at Central Saint Martins College of Art in London.
- They have been together for over 55 years and consider themselves one artistic identity.
- Their groundbreaking performance 'The Singing Sculpture' (1970) involved singing and dancing to 'Underneath the Arches' by Flanagan and Allen.
- They moved from performance to video and photography to reach more people.
- Their art is characterized by provocation, questioning social conventions and dogmas.
- They aim to 'bring out the Bigot from inside the Liberal and conversely, to bring out the Liberal from inside the Bigot'.
- They criticize other contemporary artists for not asking enough questions.
- As an openly gay couple, they promote inclusion and tolerance, addressing marginalization.
- Their large-scale photographs are often divided into rectangular sections, reminiscent of stained glass windows.
- Their work has been shown at White Cube in London, including 'Was Jesus Heterosexual?' (2005).
Entities
Artists
- Gilbert Prousch
- George Passmore
Institutions
- Central Saint Martins College of Art
- White Cube
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom