Artwork
In Memory of Gavin Turk
In Memory of Gavin Turk is a print by Gavin Turk. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work titled In Memory of Gavin Turk is a print that presents a close‑up portrait of the artist himself, rendered in a stylised manner. The image isolates the figure against a stark background of black and green blocks, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow. The composition is dominated by a dark hat with a pinkish hue, drawing immediate visual attention.
Subject & Meaning
In this piece, Turk adopts the visual language of Joseph Beuys, positioning himself in the guise of the German performance artist. By aligning his own likeness with Beuys’s iconic appearance, the work gestures toward themes of artistic identity, homage, and the continuity of conceptual practice across generations.
Technique & Style
The print employs bold, saturated colours and sharp tonal contrasts to separate the illuminated eyes and beard from the surrounding darkness. The hat’s pinkish tone stands out sharply against the black backdrop, while the green blocks add a subtle compositional counterpoint. The overall effect is a graphic, high‑contrast portrait that foregrounds surface and materiality.
Context
Gavin Turk, a prominent figure in contemporary British art, frequently engages with notions of authorship and replication. This work references his ongoing interest in the legacy of influential artists, situating his practice within a broader dialogue about the role of the artist as both creator and subject.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gavin Turk makes prints and objects that play with identity and legacy. In “In Memory of Gavin Turk” (2003), he reprints a museum-style plaque of his own name, and in “Il Meglio del Meglio all ‘Infinito” (2002) he…
