Gilbert & George | A collection of printed works on paper, with related material, 1969-74

Gilbert and George

A Collection of early works:

(i) The Meal. Printed invitation letter to a dinner party to be held on 14 May 1969, with lineblock illustration in red ink, signed by Antony Mathews in gold ink, dyed and partially burnt by the artists, contact telephone number added in manuscript, one page (250 x 200 mm), 1969, previously folded for mailing, partially torn at perforation

(ii) The Sadness in Our Art. Printed poem with lineblock illustration, published by Art for All, 4 July 1970, with the artists’ inkstamp in red ink, dyed and partially burnt by the artists, one page (375 x 255 mm), folded for mailing, with original envelope addressed to Joe Tilson

(iii–ix) Limericks. Seven (of eight) greeting cards with verses (Shyness, Experience, Worldliness, Idiot Ambition, Normal Boredom, Manliness, and Artist’s Culture) and accompanying linecut illustrations, printed dedication to Joe Tilson, printed by Art For All in an edition of 25, dated 29 March to 19 May 1971, each signed by the artists and with original mailing envelopes stamped “Towards Progress and Understanding in Art”, THE DEDICATION COPIES, lacking no. 1 (Lost Day)

(x) Autograph letter signed (“Gilbert and George”) inviting Mr and Mrs Tilson to “The Anniversary of Frank’s Sandwich Bar”, 1 page, 12 Fournier Street, London, with printed invitation and map, May 1969

(x–xx) 10 printed invitations to exhibitions and openings of works by Gilbert and George, 1970-74  

Gilbert and George began to produce postal sculptures while still at art college. The idea that works of art in the form of a personal message could be sent through the post appealed to them and these were the seeds of their later pictures, under the banner "Art for All"

Many examples, such as is the case here, were made on charred paper to resemble early charters, complete with frayed edges, burn marks and stamps reminiscent of mediaeval seals.

The Limericks were an eight-part postal sculpture produced in 1971 in an edition of 25. Each recipient received one limerick each week for eight weeks and they were mainly addressed to other artists or friends of Gilbert and George.

PROVENANCE

Joe Tilson (1928–2023); sale in these rooms, London, 10 July 2001, lot 504