TRACEY EMIN (B. 1963)
My Bed
mattress, linens, pillows and objects (£800,000-1.2 million). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £2,546,500, A WORLD RECORD FOR THE ARTIST
My Bed by Tracey Emin, one of the most iconic and shocking self-portraits of the contemporary generation, will be offered at Christie’s in London on July 1. Dating from 1998 it was shortlisted for the Turner Prize the following year, causing a furore. Estimated at £800,000-1.2 million it is being sold to benefit the Saatchi Gallery’s Foundation.
It is a snapshot of a debauched period of the artist’s life after a period of suicidal depression brought on by the break up of a relationship. The bed is surrounded by personal effects including empty vodka bottles, cigarette packets, stained sheets,discarded condoms and soiled underwear. The artist has said that she had a sort of mini-nervous breakdown and did not get out of bed for four days. She had a drink of water, made her way back to the bedroom and was shocked by what she saw. Then in a sudden flash she saw the bed in a white space and saw that it looked brilliant. When it was exhibited it was shocking to some people but Emin – in an interview with fellow artist Julian Schnabel – said she thought it looked like a damsel in distress, like a woman fainting or something and needing to be helped.
UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £2,546,500, A WORLD RECORD FOR THE ARTIST