TRACEY Emin has demanded that Number 10 take down an artwork she gifted to the Government, saying the “current situation is shameful”.
More Passion, a neon piece by the Turner Prize-nominated artist, was installed in Downing Street in 2011 when David Cameron was prime minister.
Writing on Instagram, the 58-year-old said she had requested the piece be removed in protest at allegations of parties at the residence during lockdown.
She said: “This is my neon that hangs at 10 Downing Street. It was a gift from myself to the Government Art Collection.
“I am now in the process of requesting that my artwork be removed from 10 Downing Street.
“I feel More Passion is the last thing this present government needs. This current situation is shameful.”
Emin donated More Passion to the Government Art Collection after being invited by Cameron to create a bespoke piece.
She told The Guardian she was not asking for the artwork to be returned.
“The artwork belongs to the government, not whoever’s in power right now,” she said.
“It could hang in the British embassy in Cairo, or go back into storage. There are many places it could go, but just right at the moment I don’t think it’s a very good idea if it’s at 10 Downing Street.”
Emin caused controversy in the art world when she declared herself a Conservative supporter but later criticised Cameron over his decision to hold a referendum on leaving the EU.
Known for her headline-grabbing ’90s works Everyone I Have Ever Slept With and My Bed, she revealed in 2020 she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Emin underwent major surgery and is now cancer-free.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel