Gilbert & George. *COTTAGE GARDEN,* 2019. 226 × 316 cm. Courtesy of the artists and The Gilbert & George Centre.

Written by: Amanda Smith

Copy Edited by: Robyn Hager

Photo Edited by: Haley Winchell

This premier is a pivotal moment in the 50-year career of the artistic duo, best known for their distinctive colored photo collages, exploring themes like religion, politics, sex, and death. The pair began working together in 1967, after meeting in Art School at Central Saint Martin's, and initially created individual pieces which they photographed as an archive of each other's works. They began producing larger-scale photographs in the 1970s. It was during this time they had an epiphany: their presence in the photographs was more important than the sculptures they were photographing. As a result, they stopped sculpting and concentrated on incorporating the dynamics of their personas into the artwork, and the concept of “living sculpture” became an important part of their artistic narrative. The artists now view every conversation as a form of art and believe that the narrative between their lives and art are inseparable. The 50 years of artworks will all be eventually curated in their repertoire, as well as their extensive photographic pieces such as the infamous "The Singing Sculpture," a 1970s performance piece that featured their faces and religious motifs. They began experimenting with taboo texts and computer technology to manipulate their images in the 1980s, and this concept inspired some of the artists' current works on display at the new center.

Gilbert & George. *BOOTS,* 2019. 316 × 676 cm. Courtesy of the artists and The Gilbert & George Centre.

Gilbert & George. *MAGNOLIA HEADS,* 2019. 301 × 505 cm. Courtesy of the artists and The Gilbert & George Centre.

Gilbert & George. *CHAINERY,* 2019. 151 × 190 cm. Courtesy of the artists and The Gilbert & George Centre.

The Gilbert & George Centre's location in London's East End is significant because the area has a long history of being a refuge for social minorities and immigrants, shaping a symbiotic yet unequal relationship with the city. The Centre's oak-paneled floors and Georgian paint colors reflect Gilbert & George's unique style and their affinity to the district. Its opening exhibition features the artists' 2019 series of large-scale collages depicting various interpretations of paradise, using bright colors and surreal imagery.

Gilbert & George. *BED-WETTING,* 2019. 226 × 316 cm. Courtesy of the artists and The Gilbert & George Centre.

Gilbert & George. *FULL FIG,* 2019. 226 × 316 cm. Courtesy of the artists and The Gilbert & George Centre.

Gilbert & George are set to bring change to their new gallery, the Gilbert & George Centre, by curating the exhibitions themselves. The inaugural exhibition, "The Paradisiacal Pictures," showcases 25 psychedelic pieces that blend images of the artists or their disembodied eyes with decomposing leaves, flower petals, and discarded fruit. The artwork was created by photographing the found objects during walks around Spitalfields and then using photo editing techniques to produce the final pieces. The opening of this exhibition is timed to coincide with the unveiling of the artists' latest show, “The Corpsing Pictures,” which will be on view at White Cube Mason’s Yard on March 29. The move is indicative of Gilbert and George's commitment to leaving their artistic mark on London's east end.

The opening is a testament to the artist's enduring influence on contemporary art and their commitment to ensuring their legacy in London. Their provocative and controversial work continues to inspire new generations of artists, and their unique style will be immortalized in the London district through their Centre's galleries. The Gilbert & George Centre is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the art world and the history of London's East End.