Passion, pain and healing: the Tate Modern showcases the largest Tracey Emin exhibition to date
Dame Tracey Emin takes centre stage at Tate Modern in her most expansive exhibition to date an unflinching exploration of trauma, intimacy and resilience that brings audiences closer than ever to one of Britain’s most provocative artistic voices.
Dame Tracey Emin is one of the most influential, impactful artists in British history. A household name, Emin is not only admirable for her artistic skill, but for creating a space to explore the darker side of womanhood. Her art makes people feel seen, feel heard or just feel. Emotionally impactful, not always pleasant, Emin’s art is an experience rather than a thing of beauty.
This year, the Tate Modern is hosting the largest ever exhibition dedicated to the artist. A true testament to passion, pain and healing, the exhibition carefully details the most important chapters in Emin’s life, from her mother’s cancer diagnosis to her abortion. With 90 pieces on display in total, for the first time ever, it’s the most anticipated exhibition of the year.
Chronicling Emin’s life, the exhibition opens with works from the artist’s first ever solo exhibition: My Major Retrospective, showcasing pictures of paintings she made in art school before later destroying them during a period of emotional hardship. Emin’s video, Why I Never Became a Dancer, which recounts traumatic events from her childhood plays over the top, creating a full, emotionally impactful immersive experience.
One of the pieces being displayed for the first time is The Last of the Gold. A quilt crafted in 2002, the piece is an ‘A-Z of abortion’ advice for women in similar positions. On the topic, at the heart of the exhibition sit two installations. Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made is a recreation of the Stockholm gallery Emin locked herself in for three weeks to rediscover her love of painting, which she lost after her abortion six years prior. Emin’s most notorious work, My Bed, is also on display, showing the artist’s recovery-station from an alcohol-fuelled breakdown.
From works in neon and sculpture to paintings and videos, the exhibition is the closest we have ever been to Tracey Emin, no small feat considering how personal her pieces are already. Tracey Emin: A Second Life runs at the Tate Modern until the end of August. Snap up tickets here, only £5 for 16-25 year olds.
Credits:
Images courtesy of Tate Modern
Words: Cable Writers
