About this artwork

'Surrender' is the first work by Viola to enter the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art's collection. It is a key work from a group of videos known collectively as 'The Passions', which explore extremes of emotion. The theme of 'Surrender' is grief. The two figures break down into uncontrollable tears, gradually lowering their heads until their faces touch the water. But then our image of them becomes distorted and breaks up. In surprise, we realise that what we have been watching all along are reflections not substances. The work is silent and is shown on a pair of plasma screens that sit flat on the wall like a moving painting.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Bill Viola (born 1951) American
  • title:
    Surrender
  • date created:
    2001
  • materials:
    Colour video diptych on flat panel display
  • measurements:
    Each monitor: 103.00 x 63.00 x 10.80 cm; each screen size: 92.00 x 53.00 cm; combined size: 206.50 x 63.00 x 22.50 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by Anne & Anthony d'Offay through Art Fund, 2003
  • accession number:
    GMA 4683
  • gallery:
  • subject:
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Bill Viola

Bill Viola