La Biennale di Venezia 2007 is the world’s premier showcase of contemporary visual art. Under this year’s theme, 'Think with the Sense – Feel with Mind. Art in the Present Tense', Tracey Emin is exhibiting new works in one of four UK pavilions. Also on show is one of the largest British exhibitions to be staged in recent years with leading artists representing England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Under this year’s theme, twelve British artists are exhibiting their work across four UK pavilions at the 52nd International Art Exhibition in Venice until 21 November. New and previous works by Tracey Emin go on display for the first time ever in her exhibition Borrowed Light. The Turner Prize nominee is the second solo British female artist to exhibit in the British Pavilion after Rachel Whiteread in 1997. Andrea Rose, Commissioner for the British Pavilion, says: ‘Tracey’s work goes from strength to strength. She’s a storyteller with an extraordinary ability to scratch away the surfaces to what lies below. This is a great moment to see her work in an international context and at a distance from the Young British Artists generation with which she came to prominence’.
Twice-Turner Prize nominee, Willie Doherty, explores issues of representation, territoriality, surveillance and the politics of identity in a newly commissioned video installation - Ghost Story 2007 - showcasing at the Northern Irish Pavilion alongside recent works including Closure, 2005 and Passage, 2006. Six of Scotland’s most progressive artistic talents have been selected to present new work for the Scottish Pavilion. Artists Charles Avery, Henry Coombes, Louise Hopkins, Rosalind Nashashibi, Lucy Skaer and Tony Swain - many of whom are recent Glasgow School of Art graduates – will present film work, painting, drawing and sculpture. Showcasing a playful and inventive approach to sculpture, painting and film, 'And So It Goes' features works by Turner Prize-winning artist Richard Deacon, Merlin James and Heather & Ivan Morrison at the Welsh Pavilion.
We have commissioned artists to represent the UK at the Venice Biennale to celebrate the best of emerging and established British artistic talent since 1938. This year’s artists follow in the footsteps of Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Bridget Riley, Anish Kapoor, Mark Wallinger, Richard Long, Paul Nash and Gilbert & George - who exhibited at the British Pavilion to great acclaim in 2005.
Sarah Gillett, Visual Arts Manager, says: ‘The kaleidoscope of artistic talent exhibiting across four pavilions at this year’s Biennale reveals the UK’s true spirit and creativity. We’re all working together to support British artists showing across Venice, and we hope that there’s something new here for everyone to discover as they wander the city.’
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