Customer Reviews

Gilbert & George: The Complete Pictures, 1971--2005

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.