EXISTERS
? Gilbert & George

Reference URL

EXISTERS 1984
  • Artist Rooms
Many of Gilbert & George?s pictures in the 1980s include a cast of young men. Having installed special lighting equipment in their studio, they were able to capture images of the youths with a greater degree of control. ?We devoted all our power to making them totally beautiful?, they have said. In pictures such as `Existers?, the youths are arranged into powerful compositions, living embodiments of potency and strength. Such depictions of young men aroused considerable hostility among critics, who accused Gilbert & George of being exploitative, and wrongly described the youths as rent boys or East End thugs.

Glossary Open

Composition

The arrangement of different elements in a work of art.

Composition

Details

  • Acc. No. AR00505
  • Medium Mixed media
  • Size 242.00 x 353.50 cm
  • Credit ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008