RNLI 12-001 (Boat), 2013

Widely recognised for her searingly honest autobiographical works, Tracey Emin is an artist who creates through a number of mediums including painting, sewn applique and sculpture. My Bed is perhaps her most notable work to date – the work exhibits her own unmade bed after a period of several days of depression and inertia; the bed itself is surrounded by empty bottles of alcohol, unclean underwear and cigarette butts. Of her autobiographical works, Emin has stated: “There should be something revelatory about art...it should be totally creative and open doors for new thoughts and experiences.” Emin found her initial success as a member of the Young British Artist movement of the 1980’s and has cited Munch and Schiele as early inspirations from whom she learned the importance of self-representation. Emin has also created sewn works such as Everyone I have Ever Slept With 1963-1995, and a series of monoprint drawings pertaining to Princess Diana, titled Temple of Diana. (Artist website)