Tracey Emin’s “Terribly Wrong” (1997) is a deeply personal monoprint that reflects her distinctive autobiographical style. This work, unlike traditional printmaking methods that allow for multiple copies, is a one-off image created by drawing on a piece of glass and pressing it against paper. The print captures a moment of raw vulnerability and is marked by backward lettering, suggesting the mirrored perspective one sees when looking at their reflection, thereby emphasizing self-examination and introspection.

The creation of “Terribly Wrong” was profoundly influenced by an emotionally tumultuous period in Emin’s life. In 1994, she experienced a traumatic abortion, a life-altering event that profoundly impacted her both physically and emotionally. This difficult period, which Emin refers to as "A Week from Hell," also involved a painful breakup with her boyfriend. The monoprint embodies the complex and often contradictory emotions of pain, loss, and memory that are central to Emin’s work (British Council Visual Arts) (TheCollector) .

Emin often uses her art to confront and process her personal history, and “Terribly Wrong” is no exception. The work's stark and raw presentation serves to draw the viewer into Emin’s intimate world, where themes of aggression, beauty, sex, and violence intersect. By sharing such a personal and painful experience through her art, Emin challenges the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths about human experience and emotion. Her approach is both confessional and confrontational, forcing a dialogue about the personal narratives that shape our identities (British Council Visual Arts) (TheCollector) .

The impact of “Terribly Wrong” is amplified by its simplicity and the directness of its execution. The use of monoprinting, with its immediate and unrepeatable nature, mirrors the uniqueness of personal trauma and memory. This technique allows Emin to capture the immediacy of her feelings, creating a work that is as much about the process of its creation as it is about the final image. The monoprint’s backward letters and the visceral depiction of her experience make it a powerful example of Emin’s ability to translate personal anguish into compelling and thought-provoking art (British Council Visual Arts) (TheCollector) .

“Terribly Wrong” stands as a testament to Tracey Emin’s enduring ability to transform deeply personal experiences into universally resonant artworks. Through this monoprint, she continues to explore and express the complexities of human emotion, solidifying her place as a significant figure in contemporary art (British Council Visual Arts) (TheCollector) .