Tracey Emin's latest exhibition, 'Crossing into Darkness', plunges viewers into the depths of winter with an eclectic mix of art forms, including paintings, installations, and performance pieces. The show features a range of artists who have been nurtured at Emin's own studios in Margate, alongside her heroes from modern art history, including Edvard Munch, Louise Bourgeois, and others.
As you step into the gallery, you're immediately struck by the sombre atmosphere. Emin has curated a space that is both eerie and thought-provoking, with works that tackle themes of mortality, trauma, and the human condition. The show begins with Antony Gormley's life-size cast of himself, which seems to hover over the viewer like a specter.
Next, you encounter Joline Kwakkenbos's striking paintings, including 'Self-Portrait as a Painter as Lucretia', where she depicts herself stabbing herself in 18th-century costume. This work is both haunting and beautiful, with Kwakkenbos's bold brushstrokes and vivid colors conjuring up images of blood and pain.
As you make your way through the gallery, you come across Hermann Nitsch's infamous 'Orgy-Mystery Theatre' performance piece, which is reinterpreted as a board covered in sketchy lines and real blood. The image is both shocking and thought-provoking, highlighting the artist's exploration of themes of life, death, and the human condition.
Meanwhile, Anselm Kiefer's hammer and anvil sculpture seems to pulse with energy, as if it's about to unleash its full fury on the viewer. Meanwhile, Gilbert & George's picture of the gates of hell is a haunting image that makes you wonder what lies beyond the veil of reality.
Throughout the exhibition, Emin's own paintings and installations offer a sense of solace and hope. Her large new painting, 'I Am Protected', features a woman curled up on her bed, surrounded by a cowled visitant who seems to be watching over her. This work feels like a message of reassurance in these dark times, suggesting that we're not alone, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.
Ultimately, Emin's 'Crossing into Darkness' is an exhibition that will leave you feeling unsettled and disturbed, but also strangely empowered. It's a testament to her skill as an artist that she can coax such powerful emotions from her audience, forcing us to confront our deepest fears and insecurities.
As you step into the gallery, you're immediately struck by the sombre atmosphere. Emin has curated a space that is both eerie and thought-provoking, with works that tackle themes of mortality, trauma, and the human condition. The show begins with Antony Gormley's life-size cast of himself, which seems to hover over the viewer like a specter.
Next, you encounter Joline Kwakkenbos's striking paintings, including 'Self-Portrait as a Painter as Lucretia', where she depicts herself stabbing herself in 18th-century costume. This work is both haunting and beautiful, with Kwakkenbos's bold brushstrokes and vivid colors conjuring up images of blood and pain.
As you make your way through the gallery, you come across Hermann Nitsch's infamous 'Orgy-Mystery Theatre' performance piece, which is reinterpreted as a board covered in sketchy lines and real blood. The image is both shocking and thought-provoking, highlighting the artist's exploration of themes of life, death, and the human condition.
Meanwhile, Anselm Kiefer's hammer and anvil sculpture seems to pulse with energy, as if it's about to unleash its full fury on the viewer. Meanwhile, Gilbert & George's picture of the gates of hell is a haunting image that makes you wonder what lies beyond the veil of reality.
Throughout the exhibition, Emin's own paintings and installations offer a sense of solace and hope. Her large new painting, 'I Am Protected', features a woman curled up on her bed, surrounded by a cowled visitant who seems to be watching over her. This work feels like a message of reassurance in these dark times, suggesting that we're not alone, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.
Ultimately, Emin's 'Crossing into Darkness' is an exhibition that will leave you feeling unsettled and disturbed, but also strangely empowered. It's a testament to her skill as an artist that she can coax such powerful emotions from her audience, forcing us to confront our deepest fears and insecurities.
- I mean, who needs that kind of intensity in their art? But on the flip side, it's also kinda refreshing to see all these heavy themes explored like mortality and trauma... wait, no, that sounds too intense. It's more like, actually, the whole thing feels a bit over-the-top, even for Emin 
. Those performance pieces are way too graphic - can't they just leave some things to our imagination?
I was really moved by Emin's latest exhibition! Her use of different art forms like paintings, installations, and performance pieces is so thought-provoking 
. The atmosphere in the gallery is super sombre but in a good way - it makes you feel all the emotions 
. I love how she's curated this space that shows we're not alone when things get dark 
. That self-portrait by Joline Kwakkenbos though? WOW 
. And Anselm Kiefer's sculpture is giving me life! 
. It feels like Emin is saying we're all in this together, and that's such a powerful message 
. Overall, I think this exhibition is a must-see for anyone who loves art or just wants to feel something real deep down 
. 
I think what resonates with me most about this exhibition is how it makes you feel uncomfortable, but in a good way? Like, you're not sure what's going on, but you're invested in figuring it out. Emin's got a way of tapping into that weird, unsettling energy that can be really cathartic. I mean, who doesn't want to talk about mortality and trauma with their friends over a pint? 
But seriously, the diversity of artists and styles on display is what really impresses me – it's not just one person's vision, but this collective exploration of the human condition. It's like... even when life gets dark, there's always room for hope and beauty. And Emin's own work, especially 'I Am Protected', feels like a big ol' hug from an artist who understands what we're all going through. 
the way she curated the space to make you feel somber but also thought-provoking is just genius 
and can we talk about joline kwakkenbos's paintings?! 
they're like, hauntingly beautiful at the same time the way she uses colors & brushstrokes to evoke emotions is just masterful 
i love how tracey emin brought together all these different artists to create a space that feels both eerie & uplifting at the same time 
I'm low-key obsessed with this new exhibit 'Crossing into Darkness' by Tracey Emin 
It's like Emin has tapped into our collective subconscious and is screaming all the scary stuff we try to hide from each other.
Anselm Kiefer's hammer sculpture is giving me LIFE, I need it in my life right now 
And Gilbert & George's gates of hell image? Chills every time.
. The artist's use of bold brushstrokes and vivid colors in Joline Kwakkenbos's 'Self-Portrait as a Painter as Lucretia' is actually quite striking, though 
will definitely be on my bucket list for 2025! 