Hooray! Gilbert & George (‘Two people, one artist’) have opened the Gilbert & George Centre just off Brick Lane and I visited last Friday. ‘The vision was for people to see our work [and] have access to our pictures,’ they say. ‘So if someone arrives in London and loves our art, they’ll be somewhere they can see our pictures and won’t have to wait for our next gallery or museum show’ …
The space, a former brewery complex, has been designed by SIRS Architects in collaboration with the artists. Visitors enter via regal gates sinuously outlining the artists’ initials into a secluded cobbled courtyard evocative of Gilbert & George’s restored Georgian home and studio …
The gate is adorned by King Charles III’s gold-encrusted royal cypher, a testament to their affection for the monarchy …
Inside the courtyard, past the reception area, a beautiful Himalayan magnolia tree leads the way to the exhibition space’s entrance …
The centre is spread over galleries providing 280 sq m of exhibition space, alongside an outdoor video space.
This first show in the venue is called ‘The Paradisical Pictures’ displays Gilbert and George’s interpretations of Heaven …
It features vast photographic screens of leaves and organic products, including figs, roses, dates and leafy greens through which the artists peer or can be seen lolling on benches, either resting or in a swoon.
Here are the images I took on my visit. Trigger warning, be aware that, in typical G&G fashion, some of the titles are provocative!
There is, of course, merchandise you can purchase to commemorate your visit …
If you would like to follow me on Instagram here is the link …
