The book is a translation of the text from the original book also offered by us. The book DOES NOT INCLUDE the illustrations.

In answering the question posed by its title, and drawing on his twenty year relationship with the artists, Michael Bracewell is the first writer to engage directly with Gilbert & George to understand why they have devoted their lives – exclusively and continuously – to the vision of art they conceived within months of first meeting.

What emerges piece by piece is a portrait of Gilbert & George as two men who are infinitely more intense, strange, determined and alone than their longstanding public image suggests.

Accompanied by illustrations selected by the artists, the book provides candid insights into their working practice, East London, sex, Victorian art, nationalism and maleness, among many other subjects.

“Gilbert and George are two men who together are one artist: Gilbert & George.

The vision of Gilbert & George is their art, of which they are the embodiment. Therefore Gilbert & George are the art of Gilbert & George.

The art of Gilbert & George is based upon feelings rather than intellect.

Gilbert & George are a total modern independent visionary artist, alone. (…)”

Michael Bracewell, “What is Gilbert & George?”, 2017, Heni Publishing, London; page 9; tłum.: Małgorzata Nowicka