More than 60 large-scale installations will feature in a new exhibition dedicated to the work of east London-based artistic duo Gilbert & George.
New artworks will debut in the display covering the past 25 years — a sort of retrospective of the century so far — looking at how technology has changed the way the two self-styled ‘living artworks’ create their images, and how they began digitally distorting their pictures to reflect the anxieties, fears and desires of modern society.
The two new pieces are from 2025 series THE SCREW PICTURES, in which Gilbert & George increasingly confront their own mortality, showing their attention turning inwards as they’re surrounded by everyday objects gathered from their home and nearby streets, such as screws, nuts, bolts and twigs.
They’ll be displayed among many acclaimed artworks created over the past two and a half decades, including NEW HORNY PICTURES (2001), THE LONDON PICTURES (2011), THE BEARD PICTURES (2016) and CORPSING PICTURES (2022), touching on topics including sex, religion, class, nationalism, corruption and death.
In their typical style, the artworks blend eye-catching imagery and text, using everything from newspaper headlines to road signs, and postcards to overheard conversations as inspiration for the floor-to-ceiling installations.
Back in 2023, the duo opened The Gilbert & George Centre in Spitalfields, showcasing highlights from their impressive portfolio in the shell of a former brewery. It’s just reopened with its third exhibition, DEATH HOPE LIFE FEAR, which is free to visit.
Gilbert & George: 21st Century Pictures is at the Hayward Gallery at Southbank Centre, 7 October 2025-4 January 2026. Standard tickets £20, available now.
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Art doesn’t have to shock
Art doesn’t have to shock
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