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The Lead Legendary art duo Gilbert & George, known for their provocative and boundary-pushing artwork, discuss their artistic philosophy, fame, and unexpected collaboration with younger street artist Endless. The octogenarian artists maintain their distinctive presence in the London art scene while reflecting on their legacy. The Artistic Partnership Gilbert Prousch, 82, and George Passmore, 84, have been working together since the late 1960s when they met at St Martin's School of Art in London. They are known for their distinctive appearance in colorful suits and their artwork that often explores themes of sex, religion, death, and urban life. Their decision to work as a duo was deliberate: "For a living sculpture, it was a very good idea to have two people, not one," explains Gilbert. "Two makes a composition; one doesn't," adds George. The Living Sculpture Philosophy The duo famously has no kitchen in their four-storey Georgian townhouse in Fournier Street, Spitalfields, east London, which they've owned since the late 1960s. They regard cooking as time wasted when they could be making art, and instead eat out or have food brought in daily. Their "Living Sculpture" philosophy extends to their daily routines, which they consider part of their artistic practice. This approach has remained consistent throughout their decades-long career, even as the art world around them has evolved. The Unexpected Collaboration Their relationship with 41-year-old London artist Endless began when they noticed one of his street pieces on a nearby wall and photographed it for a 2015 exhibition in Singapore. When Endless discovered this, he contacted them, and they began corresponding by letter. A decade later, Endless now visits them weekly. Their collaboration includes works like "ExG&G;," which features Endless alongside Gilbert & George in their studio, and "Endless's Crotch Grab," a reworking of a 1990s Calvin Klein advertisement featuring Mark Wahlberg. The New Exhibition The duo's latest exhibition is a reworking of their 1990 "London and New York Worlds and Windows" exhibition, now on display at the Gilbert & George Centre, a converted 19th-century brewery that opened in 2023 near their home. The center offers free admission in line with their "Art for All" ethos. The exhibition includes new works featuring George Crompton, a homeless man who would visit their studio regularly and who passed away in 2023. "He wasn't unhappy," says George. "I think he knew and accepted that he was going to fade away." The Legacy Question As octogenarians in an art world that often celebrates youth, questions arise about Gilbert & George's legacy and potential mentorship of Endless. When asked if they're handing down their legacy, Endless responds, "I don't even know what 'legacy' means." George quips, "Leg over-sy," returning to their characteristic irreverence. Despite their age, the duo shows no signs of slowing down, with Endless noting, "You learn how to be an artist from people who are greater than you." Their collaboration suggests a potential passing of the torch while maintaining the rebellious spirit that has defined their career.

The Churchill Exhibition: War Leader's Artistic EscapeBritain's eloquent war leader kept himself sane by puffing on cigars, swilling brandy – and painting the world around him. The Wallace Collection in London is hosting "Winston Churchill: The Painter" from 23 May to 29 November, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic side of the historical figure.New Voices in Contemporary ArtThe London art scene is buzzing with new exhibitions featuring contemporary artists:Kira Freije presents hollow metal people at Modern Art Oxford, showing shadows of Berlin Dada in her work. The exhibition runs from 23 May to 16 August.Miriam Elia, known for her witty take on Ladybird books, turns her eye towards Moses in this exhibition for Jewish Cultural Month at JW3, until 30 June.Liam Young offers futuristic but lo-fi worlds you can walk through at the Barbican, until 6 September, with installations finding hope for our planet.Zsuzsi Ujj presents her first UK solo show at Arcadia Missa, from 22 May until 18 July, establishing her presence from Hungary's dissident art and underground music scenes.Remembering Valie ExportThe art world mourns the passing of Austrian feminist artist and film-maker Valie Export, who died this week. Her 1968 performance piece "Tapp und Tastkinema" (Tap and Touch Cinema) is highlighted as typically provocative but playful, giving people the opportunity to interact with and appraise a real female body: her own. Export's fearless approach to challenging beauty standards continues to influence contemporary artists.Notable Art News and DevelopmentsThe week brought several significant stories from the art world:Taiba Akhuetie makes wild creations out of hair – Rihanna and Cate Blanchett are fansWhistler should have used better paint to capture his motherNina Simone's chewing gum is going on show in a new exhibition celebrating the superfanChristo made the invisible visibleGrayson Perry's life story is to be made into a musicalFlorentina Holzinger rocked this year's Venice Biennale with naked jetskiers, human bells and urine diversGen Z can't get enough of the king of colour, Mark RothkoSanya Kantarovsky's paintings of Christian iconography and children will haunt youMasterpiece of the Week: The Judgement of ParisJoachim Wtewael's "The Judgement of Paris" (1615) stands as this week's masterpiece. The painting depicts the moment when Trojan prince Paris foolishly rates the beauty of Minerva, Venus, and Juno, giving the prize to Venus in return for her helping him seduce Helen. This decision sparked the Trojan War, with the Greeks supported by the furious Juno. Wtewael's mannerist style, with its bony, angular forms and deliberate distortions, creates an overabundance that presages doom, reflecting the war-torn Europe of the 1600s. The painting is on display at the National Gallery in London.