Gilbert & George: The Complete Pictures, 1971--2005 [Hardcover]

Gilbert & George (Author), Rudi Fuchs (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2007

Gilbert & George are among the foremost artists of their generation. A collaborative team, they were early to explore performance as an art form, and early to explore the idea that every aspect of daily life could be classed as such. They were early to mingle photography and graphics in a style reminiscent of advertising, and early to address sexual identity in that work. In fact, they were early to do much that viewers now take for granted. Their work has been exhibited worldwide since the beginning of the 1970s, and is either unusually accessible or completely unpalatable, depending on the viewer's mindset. It has attracted both fierce controversy and enormous acclaim, including the 1986 Turner Prize and the U.K.'s slot at the 2005 Venice Biennale. At last, on the fortieth anniversary of their meeting (September 25, 1967, Saint Martin's, London) and on the eve of a major retrospective that will tour six venues around the world-including Tate Modern, the Brooklyn Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum and the de Young Museum in San Francisco-here is a book that does justice to the scale, depth and ambition of their artistic achievement. Or rather, here are two books: designed and produced by the artists, this luxurious two-volume hardback set, which comes in a customized carrying case with handles, documents every picture the pair has created over the course of their 35-year career.With details and installation views of many significant pieces, it includes 1500 color illustrations. The Complete Pictures will be the most thorough and extensive publication on the artists' work ever assembled. Copublished with Tate Publishing, London.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"And now for something completely different... The duo, known for their brightly colored imagery, combine photography and graphics to construct vivid, massive photo-montages. The huge, two-volume set (so huge it includes two handles built into the top of the book) was designed by the duo themselves and features every picture they have ever produced." -- Anthony Lasala --Photo District News

"For anyone interested in the contemporary confluence of art and photography, G&G are crucial, pioneering figures..." -- Vince Aletti --Modern Painters: The International Contemporary Art Magazine

"Don't be overwhelmed by the images or the book's sheer size -- the reproductions in Gilbert & George make it well worth weighing down your coffee table." --Metro Source NY

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1200 pages
• Publisher: Aperture (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159711037X
• ISBN-13: 978-1597110372
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 20.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essential Gilbert & George, January 2, 2010

By 

Buffy (Sunnydale) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gilbert & George: The Complete Pictures, 1971--2005 (Hardcover)

For Gilbert & George fans this is THE book to own. It's actually two books in a cardboard case and literally reproduces every painting of theirs to 2005. This means all of the prime G&G artwork from the 80's are here and you just can't go wrong. The printing is top notch and there's nothing left out. That's pretty much all you need to know---it's all here so you're not missing a single image. Incredible value for the price.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They are absolutely deserving of the title "Legends"!, May 23, 2009

By 

N. Knott "artlegend" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gilbert & George: The Complete Pictures, 1971--2005 (Hardcover)

This set of books was published as Gilbert & George had a retrospective touring the U.S. that began at London's Tate Museum. Having been a loyal fan for several decades; I made the effort to attend the opening (a two day event) at the Milwaukee Art Museum. I was honored to meet them twice and attend their discussions in which they fielded questions on any subject with their incredible dignity and grace. The same dignity and grace they have afforded all humanity in their photo collages depicted in this thorough and handsome two volume collection. Every phase of their artistic and socio-political development is represented to perfection (from boyish art students to the concerned and sometimes world-weary adults they are today). As local icons of the Spittle Fields area of London; they have set an example of artistic hardwork ethics and historical preservation respected worldwide which sets them above other modern artists in being role models for young and established people in the arts and beyond. The books design is superb and stands as a work of art by itself! I recommend using it for reference as you read Daniel Farsons two entertaining memoirs of Gilbert & George ("Gilbert & George A Portrait" and "With Gilbert & George in Moscow"). You won't regret it. See one of their exhibits in person if you can! Five stars are not enough!

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Full of Fiber, November 4, 2008

By 

C. D. High (Bahama, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gilbert & George: The Complete Pictures, 1971--2005 (Hardcover)

I had been vaguely aware of Gilbert and George for some time now, seeing the odd piece here and there, and I'd always been curious to see more. Well, here is more Gilbert and George than you could ever want. WAY more.

They have essentially found _one_ particular style of artwork that they're good at (large scale photo collages broken down into separate framed pieces) and worked it to death. They've done the same thing for almost 40 years ... the main thing thats changed has been the progression from Black and White, to Black White and Red, to a rainbow of bright colors.

In terms of content they've gone from pieces about being drunk, to nude self portraits (let's not go there), to pieces full of dirty words, bits of the bible, personal ads, and _lots_ of body fluids and solids.

I'm not a prude. I can appreciate artists who use push the boundaries but do we really need large scale images of the artist's bowel movements? It's not so much gross as it is ... just stupid. It's like they're desperately trying to be "daring". They try so hard to shock the viewer! What a waste of effort (no pun intended).

The collection itself is beautifully done ... 2 volumes, beautifully printed and packaged. I just wish I'd waited a couple of years for a severely edited (much slimmer) volume of their best works.