art

‘You learn how to be idiotic artists’: Gilbert & George on fame, rebellion and their mystery new collaborator

The Britart mavericks have now teamed up with an unlikely artist. Is their odd throuple an elaborate prank – or are the duo passing down their legacy?

‘You learn how to be idiotic artists’: Gilbert & George on fame, rebellion and their mystery new collaborator

TL;DR

  • Gilbert & George, an 82 and 84-year-old art duo, live in an 18th-century townhouse in Spitalfields, London, without a kitchen, as they consider cooking a waste of time.
  • They have a long-standing friendship with street artist Endless, who visits them regularly, sparking discussions about them passing down their artistic legacy.
  • Their new exhibition at the Gilbert & George Centre includes works featuring George Crompton, a homeless man who frequented their studio.
  • The duo adheres to an 'Art for All' philosophy, offering free admission to their centre and planning to leave their works to it after their death.