Review of Tracey Emin, ‘A Fortnight of Tears’ Exhibition:
Claudia Kusznirczuk
In looking at the diversity of contemporary art, a visit was paid to the Tracey Emin exhibition in the White Cube entitled “A Fortnight of Tears”.The exhibit presents an array of works featuring paintings, sculptures, neon, film, photography and drawings from the artist’s memories and emotions. It is important to note that the exhibit was at the White Cube, which is an exhibit venue with a completely white interior. The White Cube did not contribute to any aspect of feeling to the already highly emotional and somewhat disturbing displays, other than to give the viewer a sense that the artworks are within an asylum, a sort psychiatric ward to house unsettling images. The paintings can be perceived as ink blots spilling Tracey’s inner emotions and thoughts to the world. My overall reaction of the works is a feeling of gloom, despair and uncertainty.
Tracey Emin, ‘It was all too Much’, (2018)
Mainly her works are presented on large-scale canvases and feature large figurative sculptures. Her nudes are expressionistic evidencing the intimate emotions and memories of pain, sorrow, and love that can interpret as bitterly poetic and impressive or simply disturbed repressive attitude. In effect, Tracey demonstrates a huge range of talents and artistic skill. The exhibit stayed fairly well to the theme and viewers can vividly trace and touch the past feelings and experiences of the artist.
One feels that Tracey was in a throng of pain and suffering in compiling her works. She appears to fights with the art, even the figures look twisted and punished for her internal anguish. The moment she starts to paint the canvas, she starts to tell a story like a narrative to the viewer. She does not want to hide her vulnerabilities and chooses to show this through the disfigurations. She purposely ruined a painting in order to express her feelings of solitude and sorrow by allowing the canvas to amplify her screams. In general, it was good to get a different perspective from an accomplished contemporary artist, however, our styles are vastly different in styles, tone, theme and particularly in our expression of emotion.
'Fortnight of Tears'