By DARLA McCAMMON

Lakeland Art Association

“Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995”

WARSAW — Normalcy is not a word one would use to describe Tracey Emin.  Her life and her work elicit sympathy but more often disapproval from those who at least try to live by certain codes of conduct that keep us civilized.  She came onto the art scene with a vengeance in 1997 when she entered a piece in an exhibit.  It was a tent she had inscribed with many names all over it.  The title?  Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995”. Considering that she was born in 1960, I will leave you to verify the accuracy of her claims on the tent.

Following the tent episode, she managed to capture even more attention when she appeared in England on a TV program called “The Death of Painting”.  The program went on “live” and Tracey proceeded to exhibit drunken behavior, swore excessively on air and made quite a name for herself.  Isn’t it amazing how things like this catapult people into positions of privilege and fame and wealth?  There must be something in many psyches that is attracted to the scandalous.  Much like people often write letters or even offer marriage to mass-murderers or degenerate criminals in prison.

Emin continued her shock value (you will have to decide how purposeful or productive it was) with what many called a pornographic installation titled My Bed.  Instead of condemnation this won her a nomination for the Turner Prize.

In one biography it was noted that she had been raped at a very young age and thus her life was shaped by this tragic event.  Much of her work does carry a sexuality within it, and one hopes this may have been an outlet for her to release the trauma she endured. Otherwise it is rather lurid.

The Royal Academy, a famous school in London was founded in 1768.  In all the years of its’ existence only male professors have been allowed to teach on their campus.  In 2011, Tracey Emin along with Fiona Rae were appointed positions on staff.  Emin was appointed professor of drawing.  They were the only two women allowed since 1768. I can only imagine the controversy in the community.

In her biography, “Strangeland”, Emin was quoted as saying, “Here I am, a…crazy, anorexic-alcoholic-childless, beautiful woman” To give her some credit she has discussed in many panels and speeches about the link in the life of an artist between creativity and their own life experiences.  She has also done some interesting, less controversial creations in a variety of media such as sculpture, needlework, photography, video, and painting.

Upcoming and Current Events:

• Paul Ramain exhibit at Warsaw City Hall. Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Admission. Ramain is changing this exhibit frequently, so be sure to make return visits until it closes at the end of December.
• Christmas Boutique at Lakeland Art Association. Find lovely creative and innovative items including paintings, crafts and more! Located at 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. Open at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

For more information on topics in this column, please contact Darla McCammon at [email protected] or (574) 527-4044. Older columns at www.darlamc.com