Gilbert & George: Old but gold

They may already be in their 70s, but for artists Gilbert Proesch, 71, and George Passmore, 73, age is not a hindrance when it comes to making art: The two claim to have more energy now — and are much wiser — than before.

“We do much bigger shows now — all alone, without help,” said Proesch.

The dynamic duo, better known to the world as Gilbert & George, are proud of the fact that, with the exception of a secretary to help them to go through their email, they do their own artwork themselves. Unlike artists such as Damien Hirst, they don’t employ assistants to help put their works together.

“A lot of artists have a lot of assistants now, they all have 20 to 30 assistants. We never had that,” said Proesch.

“The actual pictures are all made by us. It’s highly important, it’s very personal,” said Passmore. “We believe in the individual.”

Winners of the 1986 Turner Prize, Gilbert & George — who describe themselves as “two people, one artist” — are in town for their first exhibition in Singapore at ARNDT Gallery in Gillman Barracks and will also be presenting a new work at Art Stage Singapore, which runs from tomorrow to Sunday.

This exhibition at ARNDT titled Utopian Pictures, makes its world premiere here and features 26 different pictures that according to them, are a “visual love letter” from them to the viewers. The pictures deal with eight subjects: Death, hope, life, fear, sex, money, race and religion.

“We don’t want to show or reflect life, we want to make pictures that make the future,” said Passmore. “We want the future to be like these pictures — to form tomorrow. We want (those who see these pictures) to get into the same frame of mind, which is to question all of our conventions.”

“Non-stop questioning,” concurred Proesch. “We feel these pictures are very liberating because they are talking about the subjects that are inside everybody else but nobody mentions them.”

Often recognisable in matching suits, the two also like to feature themselves in their work.

“It is us saying this — it’s Gilbert & George saying it. We want to be part of it, like the vicar, you know, preaching,” laughed Proesch.

“We never wanted to be the artist that Mother would be ashamed of,” continued Passmore. “You know, the dirty artist with sandals or crazy hair. We always wanted to be respectable artists. I think it’s very good because it contrasts with our pictures. Our pictures look different from us.”

What’s interesting for these septuagenarians is that a lot of their support comes from the younger generation — with teenagers providing half of their fan mail.

“There’s real support from young people,” said Passmore. “Recently, a big lorry driver near our street stopped, looked out and said, ‘Gilbert & George, my life is a f***ing moment. Your art is an eternity,’ and he drove off. Extraordinary!”

Utopian Pictures runs until April 5, 11am to 7pm, at ARNDT Singapore, Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, #03-21. Free admission.