Gilbert & George

Gilbert Proesch from San Martin de Tor, Italy combined creative forces with partner George Passmore of Plymouth, United Kingdom after studying sculpture together at St Martins School of Art in the late 1960s. Gilbert had previously been educated at the Selva School of Art and Hallein School of Art in Austria, as well as at the Art Academy of Munich. George, on the other hand, studied at the Dartington College of Arts and Oxford School of Art. The duo are known for their stereotype-defying public profile. They are open about their conservative political inclination, though claimed to have married in 2008. Moreover, they typically dress meticulously and formally. Famous for their “living sculpture” works, the pair are known for their performance art. Their Pictures series is also one of their most famous endeavours, incorporating photographic images and hand-painted details. In 1986, the couple won the prestigious Turner Prize, and in 2005, they represented the United Kingdom at the Biennale of Venice.  In 2007, the Tate held a major retrospective of their work.