Gilbert & George | A Message From the Sculptors

Gilbert & George
A Message From the Sculptors
London, UK: Art For All, 1970
20.3 × 12.6 cm.
Edition of 300

An embossed card with letterpress text, and collaged elements of the artists' make up, tobacco and ash, hair, coat and shirt and breakfast. The booklet also includes five small black & white photographs of the artists' performances and two paragraphs of text:

"Gilbert and George, the sculptors, are walking along a new road. They left their little studio with all the tools and brushes, taking with them only some music, gentle smiles on their faces and the most serious intentions in the world."

and

"And in conclusion, Gilbert and George have a wide range of sculptures for you, singing sculpture, interview sculpture, dancing sculpture, meal sculpture, walking sculpture, nerve sculpture, cafe sculpture, and philosophy sculpture. So do contact us."

In 2010, a copy sold at a Christies auction for £2,500 ($3,848 US), more than twice the high estimate. The title is currently available from Sims Reed for £5,000 ($7,600 US), here.

The work is currently on display at the MoMA in NYC, as part of Gilbert & George: The Early Years, curated by David Platzker. The exhibition runs until September 27, 2015.


"Their whole way of life became a work of art. Every gesture, every piece of writing was intended to elucidate their "living sculpture. Their books/publications A Message From The Sculptors Gilbert & George, To Be With Art Is All We Ask and The Pencil on Paper Descriptive Works are nothing but descriptive appendices of their intentions."

- Germano Celant, Book as Artwork