The renowned British art duo Gilbert & George have taken over the entire Hayward Gallery with their latest exhibition, filling the space with towering grids of provocative imagery and immersive installations. Known for their impeccably tailored suits and controversial artworks, the pair have created a spectacular display that showcases their evolution over the past 25 years.
The exhibition features vast printed panels that stretch across the gallery's austere white and concrete walls, creating immersive environments of color, collage, and confrontation. As their reputation has grown internationally, so too has the scale of their artistic creations. The new collection focuses entirely on their post-millennium work, representing a complete survey of their 21st-century artistic phase.
This latest body of work presents a somewhat milder selection compared to their earlier, more scatological provocations from previous decades. Rather than creating shock for shock's sake, the duo has shifted toward more wry observations of contemporary society. However, their trademark edge remains sharp, with plenty of challenging content that pushes boundaries and questions social norms.
Their signature self-insertion technique continues to be a central element, as Gilbert & George cast themselves directly into the chaotic world they document and dissect. The artists appear throughout the exhibition, becoming both observers and participants in the social commentary they present. Their presence in the work creates a unique perspective that blurs the line between artist and subject matter.
One particularly striking installation features a wall of rent-boy advertisements incorporating their staring faces, prompting viewers to consider how many of those phone numbers still connect and what became of the lives behind them. This piece raises uncomfortable questions about urban life and the commodification of human relationships in modern society.
Elsewhere in the gallery, tabloid headlines are collaged into cacophonies of sensation, creating a powerful commentary on how newspapers exploit human trauma to sell copies. The artists, who are famously conservative in their personal politics yet consistently anti-establishment in their art, use these works to critique surveillance, policing, and the self-appointed moral authorities they observe around their East London neighborhood.
Religious themes receive the Gilbert & George treatment throughout the exhibition, with Christianity being both teased and examined. The St. George's Cross is subverted in various contexts, animal bones are transformed into religious relics, and traditional symbols are recontextualized in unexpected ways. These elements reflect the duo's ongoing fascination with British identity and cultural symbols.
What proves most surprising about the current exhibition is the glossy, high-production quality of all the works. The print quality is remarkably sophisticated, with many pieces feeling more like backlit video walls than traditional printed panels. This technical advancement gives their imagery an almost digital luminosity that enhances the visual impact of their social commentary.
The exhibition, titled "Gilbert & George: 21st Century Pictures," runs at the Hayward Gallery on London's South Bank until January 2026. Whether visitors love or hate the controversial duo's work, this comprehensive show is designed to leave a lasting impression. Tickets are available with standard admission priced at £20, teens (12-16) at £8, free entry for children under 12, concessions at £17, and Art Fund members at £15. Advanced booking is recommended through the gallery's official website.
