Gavin Turk

Gavin Turk is a conceptual artist whose work plays with the poetry and pathos of our time. Drawing on Surrealist and art historical references, his practice invites us to question our values and our behaviours. Turk came to prominence with Cave (1991): an empty, whitewashed room bearing a blue heritage plaque inscribed with his own name.  This installation played with the Platos metaphor of the Cave which questions our understanding and control of reality. Since then his work has looked at the contemporary Western culture over the last 40 years encompassing the poetics of economics and value, consumption & rubbish as well as English and male identity, establishments and hierarchies, outsiders and marginal experiences, celebrities and the complex nature of fame and belief. His work plays with materials and trompe l’oeil as well as an acute observation of the humble and overlooked everyday details with humour and playfulness. Every artwork takes you on a slow poetic journey of enquiry into the jeopardy of our current human culture.