Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Hayward Gallery Unveils Gilbert & George’s ‘21st Century Pictures’ Retrospective

The show spotlights expansive digital photo‑collages that push long‑running East End themes, unveiling a never‑before‑seen Screw Pictures series.

Overview

  • The exhibition runs from 7 October to 11 January, presenting roughly 25 years of the duo’s work.
  • It surveys large‑scale, digitally manipulated photo‑collages whose complexity and immersive scale mark a technical evolution from earlier practice.
  • Newly presented works include the never‑before‑seen Screw Pictures alongside recent pieces such as Twig (2024), Ha‑Ha (2022) and Rest (2019).
  • Recurring motifs span East End street life and found text, from escort advertisements and headline boards to a collage bearing the Class War line “Our grandparents didn’t vote for fascists… They shot them!”.
  • Critics describe the installation as timely, energetic and immersive, with reviews highlighting its provocative reach and vivid urban panorama.