Gilbert & George

Family Tree

About this artwork

‘Family Tree’ and ‘Light Headed’ are from the series ‘New Democratic Pictures’. The democracy referred to is one in which each individual is free and encouraged to contribute to society. The change in society proposed by these images is one that is founded on spiritual intoxication and the capacity to dream. ‘Family Tree’ depicts the artists as colossal figures on their hands and knees at the foot of a large tree. They appear to be supporting the tree, nourishing existence at a fundamental level. ‘Light Headed’ depicts the artists’ disembodied heads, similarly gargantuan in scale, dominating a dramatic dawn sky.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Family Tree
  • date created:
    1991
  • materials:
    18 photographs, gelatin silver print on paper with dye on paper mounted onto board
  • measurements:
    253.80 x 354.00 x 2.50 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00175
  • gallery:
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Gilbert & George

Gilbert & George