Gilbert & George, THE PAINTINGS: WITH US IN NATURE, The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, 1971

Duration: June 18–July 31, 1971

Dimension: 17.6 x 11.5 cm

Further Information: The Whitechapel Gallery, founded in 1901, has provided many of today’s leading artists with their first solo shows. In 1971, along with David Hockney and Richard Long, Gilbert & George exhibited their installation The Paintings (with us in nature) as their first solo show. The duo’s six large triptychs portray themselves and are a reflection of their experiences in the countryside during the summer of 1970. Gilbert & George noted on this work: “This sculpture we have lived. It was the summer of 1970. Then came the winter and we recreated these senses.… Whilst we enjoyed painting, our greatest pleasure was in seeing the sculpture coming back.” The work remains the only painting in their oeuvre. Today the artist duo is known for their provocative performances, videos, films and artist’s books, which often ironically and loudly comment on death, hope, fear, sex, money, race and religion.

Today The Paintings: with us in nature are part of the Kröller Müller Museum Collection in Otterlo, The Netherlands. For further information visit their website under the following link.

HR

Image: All images from this invitation and other examples of invitations by Gilbert & George on this page are part of the Sammlung Marzona, Kunstbibliothek – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.


Below is an invitation by the artist and publisher Anthony Mathews for a 16-course dinner cooked by Isabella Beeton and Doreen Marriott for Gilbert & George and their guest David Hockney in Kent in 1969. The dinner was served by Richard Wood, who was Princess Margaret’s butler at the time.

Dinner Invitation by Isabella Beeton and Doreen Marriott for Gilbert & George and their guest David Hockney, Kent, 1969 (invitation); Sammlung Marzona, Kunstbibliothek – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Invitation by Anthony Mathews for a dinner by Isabella Beeton and Doreen Marriott for Gilbert & George and their guest David Hockney, Kent, 1969 (invitation); Sammlung Marzona, Kunstbibliothek – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin