In the 1980s, Tracey Emin was beginning her journey in the art world, a period that set the stage for her later fame and controversial works. Emin's early artistic endeavors were characterized by her exploration of printmaking and painting, influenced by Austrian artist Egon Schiele and the German Expressionists. These early influences are evident in both her subject matter and style, reflecting a deep engagement with expressionist art during her studies at Maidstone Art College from 1983 to 1986. Emin's work during this time laid the groundwork for her distinctive autobiographical approach to art, combining personal narrative with expressive techniques​ (Artland Magazine)​. Tracey Emin's art in the 1980s, while not yet featuring the infamous works that would later define her career, already showcased the embryonic themes of vulnerability, sexuality, and identity that would become central to her oeuvre. During this period, Emin was also deeply involved in the Medway Poets scene, interacting with notable figures such as Billy Childish. This environment of literary and artistic cross-pollination further influenced Emin's development as an artist, providing a creative community that valued raw, unfiltered expression. It was also during the late 1980s that Emin moved to London to pursue her MA in painting at the Royal College of Art, a move that marked a significant phase in her career. Despite facing personal challenges, including two traumatic abortions that led her to destroy all the work from her graduate school period, Emin's experiences during this time deeply informed her later work. Her decision to use her own life as the foundation for her art—prompted by a disillusionment with painting as merely decorative—highlighted a shift towards a more confrontational, autobiographical style. Emin's exploration of personal trauma and intimate experiences became a hallmark of her work, distinguishing her within the Young British Artists movement that she would later join​ (Artland Magazine)​​ (Wikipedia)​. Emin's art in the 1980s reflects a formative period characterized by exploratory works and the development of key themes that would define her career. Her involvement with the Medway Poets and her studies, alongside the personal trials she endured, contributed to the emergence of an artist unafraid to confront and expose the most private aspects of her life through her work. This period, although less known compared to her later controversial pieces, is crucial for understanding the evolution of Emin's art and the foundations of her approach to creativity and self-expression.