Gilbert & George

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Intimate Conversations with François Jonquet

The world's most controversial 'living sculptures' speak their minds in public.

François Jonquet

Editions:

Price: USD$49.95

500 points

Specifications

Hardback
English
240 x 190 mm, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in
360 pp
150 colour illustrations, 120 black and white illustrations
ISBN-13: 9780714844350
ISBN-10: 0714844357

Overview

In a publishing breakthrough, the world's most controversial 'living sculptures' speak their minds in public
Gilbert (b.1948) & George (b.1942) have sacrificed their own identities to pursue a joint career of consistent iconoclasm
The artists discuss candidly their views on life, art, sex, money, religion and race
They confront their critics and talk about the notoriety and controversy they have generated
Conversations distilled from ten years of friendship, and an intensive series of interviews, with critic and journalist Francois Jonquet
Throws fascinating new light on the artists' personalities, their daily routine and working methods, and their artistic aims
Richly illustrated with many of their best and most inventive works, as well as numerous documentary photographs

In The Press

'A compelling insight into [Gilbert & George’s] everyday enigma. The artists’ unfailing politeness, consideration for others and open nature exert an irresistible charm. But it’s Jonquet’s walks with G & G around their home patch of Spitalfields that shed new light on the work, lavishly illustrated with accompanying personal photos.' (Metro London)

'Many monographs have appeared on this enigmatic and self-contained duo, but non as revealing as this beautifully illustrated series of conversations with a young French critic who, in the course of a friendship that has lasted over ten years, has succeeded in extracting intimate details bout their lives that make the two men more human while paradoxically enhancing their strangeness. … probably the most enjoyable, readable and intentionally amusing [book] you are ever likely to encounter on avant-garde artists of today.' (Michael Jacobs, Art Quarterly (magazine of the National Art Collections Fund))

About the author(s)

Gilbert (born in the Dolomites, Italy, 1943) and George (born in Devon, 1942) met as art students at Central St. Martin's College of Art and Design in London, in 1967. Sacrificing their own identities to art, they made themselves into 'living sculptures', and have pursued a joint career of consistent iconoclasm. Seemingly oblivious to the controversies they have generated, they enjoy both popular acclaim and critical hostility with equal aplomb.

François Jonquet is a Paris-based journalist, author and art and film critic.