Gilbert and George “London Pictures” at White Cube Hoxton Square

Gilbert and George have scribbled a greeting on the main wall in the White Cube Gallery in Hoxton Square, having signed their names and adorned them with “X” marks. It is oddly colloquial and sets a tone of playfulness that is in stark contrast with the mood created by the work in the show which has dark undertones.

The ground floor of the gallery contains large works by Gilbert and George, hung too closely together for the viewer to appreciate each piece without peripheral interruptions.

The overwhelming sensation in the room is caused by the predominant use of black
and red, as well as the lines of text which become decorative in their repetition. My
immediate reaction was to recall the work of Barbara Kruger, who also relied on
typography, the use of black and red and of thought provoking words.

Created through the clippings of some 4000 newspaper headlines, the hand written
signage of shocking news stories are nonsensical at times. The rearranging of words
is reminiscent of William S. Burroughs and Brion Gysin’s “cut ups,” and is where the
significance and meaning of this new body of work can be found.

The content of the work is far more impressive than the visceral experience of these large
framed prints, suggestive of several meanings. Namely our numbness to violent images
and words in the media, which infiltrates our daily lives and has become mundane, the
utilization of words such as “pervert,” “killing,” and “knife murder” have been used in
color to create patterns and, hence, gives them a dual function. The concept is powerful
and effective.

Gilbert and George have used images of themselves and of city scenes as backgrounds
for the bold text. Typical of their narcissism, appearing in many of their works dressed in
their signature suits, a pale flesh tone is used to draw attention to their faces.

The second floor of the gallery is more intimate and the works shown up there are
relatively small. The comparison between the grand scale of the pieces downstairs and
the smaller ones is immediately felt; there is something about taking the headlines and
imagery and blowing them up which packs a punch and that is what is lacking in the
modest sized works.

Far less controversial than the older work which made them famous, the current series by
Gilbert and George is relevant, thought provoking and provides an engaging experience.

The exhibition is currently on at all of the White Cube gallery spaces in London, so the
Bermondsey and Mason’s Yard venues are worth checking out as well.

By : Karen Shidlo [ Jester Jacques Gallery ]