The enfant terrible of Young British Artists doesn’t describe herself as religious. But she paints a crucifixion scene every Easter
Dame Tracey Emin’s The Crucifixion has been highly praised during its display at the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition
The Guardian described the artist’s depiction of Jesus between two thieves as “the greatest artwork Emin has yet given us”.
The enfant terrible of Young British Artists is not normally associated with religious art. Emin shot to notoriety in the 1990s with works such as My Bed and Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995. Her current solo show in Milan is entitled Sex and Solitude.
But Professor Emin has previously won the ACE Award for Art in a Religious Context for her 2009 installation in Liverpool Cathedral, I felt you and I knew you loved me. Emin recently revealed on Instagram that her foray into depicting Christ is not a one-off – she paints a crucifixion scene every Easter. She added that while she was not religious, she can relate to themes of sacrifice and love. “I know how it feels to forgive and be forgiven.”
Since being diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Emin said she thinks a lot more about “life and death”. Speaking prior to her London show last year, Emin acknowledged that this has caused an evolution in her art: “I realised a lot of the paintings I was doing are quite spiritual, which is about time because I need it. Some people need to come out about lots of things, and I need to express how much I believe in all of these other worlds. I need it in my work to give me some kind of solace and understanding of who I am as I get older.”
Commenting on the piece, journalist Jonathan Jones said: “Emin shows why religious art, whatever your beliefs or lack of them, has a power to portray our common human fragility. People are always being crucified.”
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition runs until 17 August at the Royal Academy, London.
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