Saturday, April 25, 2026 · No. 114
Artist Profile

Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin is a prominent English artist recognized for her deeply autobiographical and confessional approach to art. She works across a diverse range of media, including neon text, sewn appliqué, painting, and sculpture.

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Biography

Born in London, Tracey Emin rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s as a key figure among the Young British Artists. Her practice is defined by its raw, personal nature, often drawing directly from her own life experiences to explore themes of memory, trauma, and identity.

Emin utilizes a wide variety of materials to translate her internal narrative into physical form, ranging from intimate textile works and drawings to large-scale neon installations and bronze sculptures. Her work often challenges the boundaries between the private and the public, transforming personal history into universal visual language.

In 2026, Emin is the subject of a major career-spanning retrospective titled A Second Life, organized by Tate Modern and presented at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. This survey, which includes over 100 works, highlights her enduring influence on contemporary art and her continued evolution as a multidisciplinary artist.

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Notable Works

  • My Bed · 1998Installation
  • Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made · 1996Installation

Career Highlights

  • 2016Elected as a Royal Academician
  • 2026Tate Modern career-spanning retrospective
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From The Cultural Signal

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art to Host Tracey Emin Retrospective 'A Second Life' Organized by Tate Modern

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art to Host Tracey Emin Retrospective 'A Second Life' Organized by Tate Modern

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art will present 'Tracey Emin: A Second Life,' an exhibition organized by Tate Modern, London, spanning nearly 40 years of the artist's practice.

ExhibitionContemporaryYoung British ArtistsPainting