Exhibition Review: Gilbert & George - NEW NORMAL PICTURES
Gilbert & George, WOKEN, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
Text by Ann-Catherine Hughes
Copy Editor: Maggie Boccella
Life is chaotic, and art duo Gilbert & George couldn’t agree more, as seen in their latest exhibition NEW NORMAL PICTURES, presented by White Cube. The exhibition features twenty-six new pictures accrued over two years, which the artists describe as “celebratory, crazed, and super modern”.
Gilbert & George, BAGGED, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
Tinted in bold primary colors, the work in NEW NORMAL portrays a bewildered Gilbert and George traipsing through the urban London landscape, surrounded by a variety of objects like shovels, garbage, bags of drugs, and mattresses. The exhibition reflects on topics such as death, hope, life, sex, money, crime, race, and religion.
Gilbert & George, BOYTON CLOSE, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
At first glance, viewers could find an air of humor in these artworks. The use of color and environment combined with various scenarios are reminiscent of vintage comic books — but the bright use of color is deceiving, for the subject matter is dark. Viewers may be tempted to focus only on the artists who serve as characters in their artwork, but what is important is what lies at their feet, or in the background.
Gilbert & George, PINK & BLUE, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
For instance, in a number of their photos, Gilbert and George tackle the topic of drug use through the use of balloons — or “noz balloons,” which are used as a means of getting high by inhaling nitrous oxide (laughing gas). In the photo PINK & BLUE, Gilbert, dressed in a bubblegum-pink suit, and George, dressed in a blue suit, stand in front of an imposing iron gate. Sticking out of the gate is an unusually large blue balloon, and on the ground below George’s feet is a pink balloon of a similar size.
Gilbert & George, FUNKY, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
Gilbert and George often appear in a state of disorientation, like they are walking in on a suspect occurrence they were never meant to witness. Other images show them toppled over in buses and alleyways on the outskirts of the city, overall reflective of their attitude towards the situations that take place in London.
Gilbert & George, BAG-MEN, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
The artists also approach the topic of homelessness; in the photo BAG-MEN, Gilbert and George are sporting matching blue suits with red ties, minus George’s bright green rose on his lapel. They are surrounded by trash bags, and behind the artists is a man in a gray hoodie. He is sleeping in a red and light gray sleeping bag, and beside him are three biscuits. The same sleeping man is seen superimposed next to his twin, but upside down. Gilbert and George, once again, appear confused and disappointed by the state this man is in.
Gilbert & George, DIG FOR VICTORY, 2020 © Gilbert & George, Courtesy White Cube
In Gilbert & George’s NEW NORMAL PICTURES, we are Gilbert and George, trekking through life’s chaos in perpetual confusion, like we’re in the middle of a fever dream. Their faces ask questions about the present and future state of their city, and the state of the world. As you contemplate these images, you yourself won’t be able to help but ask yourself similar questions about your own moral duties.
NEW NORMAL PICTURES is currently showing online, and will be open to the public on April 13th at White Cube Mason’s Yard in London. The exhibition will be subject to U.K. government guidelines until its closing on May 1st.
