Skip to content

Tracey Emin asserts her genius with blood, guts and an unmade bed


Portrait of Tracey Emin, Tate Modern, 2026 (Image: Tate/Sonal Bakrania)

Plus: a financial black hole at the National Gallery, must-see photographs of Jim Crow American South and the writer who burnt her own books

Pick of the month

Tracey Emin: A Second Life, Tate Modern, until 31 August 2026

Bed, Margate, sex, abortion, booze, blood: ask a random sample of strangers on the street what they know about Tracey Emin, and they’ll probably give you a variation on these themes. Emin — though there is the impulse to call her Tracey, as if we share some intimacy with her — is perhaps the last truly, colossally famous British artist.

London deserves great journalism. You can help make it happen.

You're halfway there, the rest of the story is behind this paywall. Join the Londoner for full access to local news that matters, just £8.95/month.

Subscribe

Already have an account? Sign In

Share this story to help us grow - click here.


Latest