Tracey Emin

I got interested in an artist's website tonight. I've been working on a philosophy assignment all day, hence the thoughtfulness...

So after wokring on an assignment on and off all day, I found myself bored. Chatted to a mate, who was telling me about this artist who's really controversial at the moment. I wouldn't say I'm clued up at all when it comes to art... I got a GCSE in Art when I was 16, and as a kid I once wanted to go to Art School and be an artist, but that's about as knowledgeable as I am about it. But... I like a bit of controversy sometimes, because it makes me, and others, think and get involved in taking a stance on something. Controversy always fires people up and gets them actually thinking, rather than spouting the usual judgemental bullshit. Have a controversial conversation with someone and you look like a fool if you don't back up why you take the position you might. It's being challenged in that way that gets people to wake up and really ****ing think about something.

I said "so who's this artist". Someone called Tracey Emin. Anyone ever heard of her? She's been about a while but I've never come across her. From what I saw and read, with a couple of U Tube searches, she is no delicate flower. At least that is what she presents... but it's sort of a paradox of vulnerability and strength. She's coarse, crude, outrageous, emotionally hurt, impulsive, rude, gobby, and swears a lot. She has absolutely no inhibition whatsoever in her art work and opinion... and as a result she's extremely frank, honest, and insightful. A South East Londoner with the accent, chip on the shoulder, and balls to go with it. To look at, perhaps judging by her outrageous appearance on BBC1 (not just drunk, but absolutely plastered), some would use the stereotype of being 'juvenile' and 'rebellious'. Actually, she has done a masters in art and a degree in philosophy. Fantastic!

I'm actually more of a fine art fan, than into the kind of work she does. My usual answer to art like this would be "yeah, well you can crap on a table and call it art these days". Actually, I change my opinion now. Because I am really not very good at all that 'interpreting art', but when I stopped looking at her work online, and looking through her website, I suddenly thought all the swear words, crudeness, and in places disgusting aspects of her work (like bloodied tampons!)... well a lot of it is about being sexually abused as a child. Which is shocking in it's nature for a lot of people, and certainly a raw subject. So to me, she has seems very expressive of the impact it has had on her. Rawly expressed in ways. I was left with mixed feelings about what I thought of her work. But she has personality... and there's not much that grabs my attention like she did.

I'm not an artist, I wouldn't know what 'real' art is or isn't. But one thing is for sure... her work comes from the dark realities of the world today, and her life is also representative of this. As a result of the controversy she has caused, people are sitting up and discussing her, her life, topics like sexual abuse, and the meaning and messages she so clearly puts across through her creativity. Everyone knows what it's like to want to shout about something, and not to be listened to. Tracey Emin uses her brazen personality and creative controversy to make people listen... now THAT is a work of art. Personally, that's why I'm impressed.

I don't know what blog rules are or anything? But I'll link her here anyway:

Tracey Emin for all your Emin requirements