Major Tracey Emin Retrospective Arrives at Tate Modern
A career-defining exhibition for Tracey Emin, one of Britain's most renowned living artists, opens in London this month. Tracey Emin: A Second Life will launch Tate Modern's 2026 programme, offering the most comprehensive retrospective of her work to date. This expansive show promises to be one of the standout art events of the year, tracing Emin's four-decade career through more than 90 pieces.
An Unmissable Collection of Iconic Works
The exhibition will feature a wide range of Emin's defining creations, from her signature neon pieces and textiles to previously unseen bronze sculptures. Visitors can expect confessional and confronting art that delves into themes of love, trauma, and the female body. A highlight will be her Turner Prize-nominated installation, My Bed from 1998, which catapulted her to fame with its raw depiction of a dishevelled bed surrounded by personal items.
Another seminal work on display is Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made (1996), created during a three-week period in Stockholm where Emin rekindled her relationship with painting. The show also includes pieces from her first solo exhibition at White Cube in 1993, the video work Why I Never Became A Dancer (1995), and the wooden rollercoaster installation It's Not the Way I Want to Die (2005).
Artist's Perspective and Exhibition Details
Emin expressed her excitement about the exhibition, stating, "I'm very excited about having a show at Tate Modern. For me, it's one of the greatest international contemporary art museums in the world and it's here in London. I feel this show will be a benchmark for me." She described it as a moment of reflection and celebration of living.
Tracey Emin: A Second Life will run at Tate Modern from February 27 until August 31, 2026. Tickets are priced at £20, with discounted rates available for Tate Collective members aged 16-25 at £5 and free entry for Tate Members. This retrospective not only showcases Emin's artistic evolution but also solidifies her status as a pivotal figure in contemporary art.
