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2010s
2010s

In the 2010s, Tracey Emin continued to delve into deeply personal themes, extending her exploration of the self, love, loss, and human frailty. Her work during this period is characterized by a raw and expressive energy, with a focus on the human form and the emotional landscapes of her own life. One of Emin's notable exhibitions from this decade is "A Fortnight of Tears," held at White Cube Bermondsey in 2019. This exhibition featured a range of media, including painting, sculpture, film, and photography, all united by Emin's unguarded exploration of grief, longing, and love. The show was particularly noted for its fifty self-portraits, capturing Emin's struggles with insomnia and the emotional turbulence of her nocturnal hours. These works offered a stark, unfiltered window into the artist's personal anguish and sleepless nights​ (White Cube)​. In her paintings from this era, Emin articulates both joy and suffering, often drawing upon the fraught terrain of sexual relationships, the physical and emotional scars left by abortion, and the profound impact of her mother's death. Emin's paintings from the 2010s exhibit a liberated, assertive form of figuration, with a visceral use of color that accentuates the physical and emotional intensity of her subjects. Her work connects her personal narrative to a broader history of expressive figuration, echoing the emotional depth found in the works of artists like Käthe Kollwitz, Edvard Munch, and Egon Schiele​ (White Cube)​. Emin's sculptures during this period, particularly those showcased in "A Fortnight of Tears," reflect her enduring fascination with themes of femininity, vulnerability, and eroticism. These pieces range from depictions of women in states of rapture and longing to more somber reflections on grief and loss. Emin's sculptures and paintings alike are deeply imbued with her own experiences, serving as poignant meditations on love, desire, and the human condition​ (White Cube)​. Throughout the 2010s, Emin remained a pivotal figure in contemporary art, her work continuing to challenge, provoke, and captivate audiences with its unflinching honesty and emotional depth. Her exploration of personal pain, coupled with her distinctive gestural style and bold use of color, underscores her place as one of the most compelling artists of her generation.