Gilbert & George on Fame, Rebellion and Their Mystery New Collaborator Endless

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.