Gillian Wearing

About:

·         English photographer and video artist.

·          Graduated from Goldsmiths College.

·         Won Turner Prize in 1997

Work:

·         Gives people an insight into average lives of people, showing their public and personal life.

·         Signs that Say What You Want Them to Say and Not Signs that Say What Someone Else Wants You to Say (1992–3) – Went up to the general public and asked them to write something on a piece of card and photographing them holding it…. A narrative!

·         She has done a series of videos where she makes actors lip sync stories and passages from other people. A sort of fly on the wall style of work.

My Opinion:

I think Gillian Wearing is unique in showing the lives of the average person. In her photos, without the piece of card, the person looks normal but by having the sentence, the viewer can create a story.

The viewer has to distinguish between public and private views and sometimes feels as if we are intruding into the person’s life. The white card is quite impersonal and stark which contrasts against the statement written upon it. This work is an intrusion into someone’s life.

Bibliography: 

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/gillian-wearing-obe-2648

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/wearing-i-have-been-certified-as-mildly-insane-p78352