Produced in 2020, These Feelings Were True is a set of 8 self-portrait lithographs by Tracey Emin. Signed, dated and numbered by the artist in pencil, this collection of extraordinary portraits gives a glimpse of Tracey’s view of herself and her world.
This series is a continuation of the artist’s self-exploration. The small-scale, intimate portraits, produced in her Margate home, can be used as a visual diary and were first created when Emin was dealing with her cancer diagnosis. Like many of her other works, her emotions can easily be seen with each portrait engaging the viewer by facing forward looking directly into them. When speaking about the series Emin expressed that there is a division between the works produced before and after her diagnosis, with the first having a calm and innocent look and the later works displaying signs of disturbance.
Previous self-portraits by Emin often see her face obscured, however in this series Emin felt it was time ‘to make an entrance into her work’. Since the diagnosis, and now being two years post-treatment, her outlook on life has changed with a gratefulness now being present.
Image credit: Counter Editions
When asked about being present, Emin has said this “when I saw that these portraits did not look like me, I then realised I was actually drawing how I felt inside my head. An expression of myself in different moments, and this idea doing a few of them would be very honest and will be really free... the idea is how I am feeling”.
When viewing the works, a sense of Emin’s freedom can be understood through the fluid brushstrokes, creating a relaxed, flowing portrait. This is something Emin wanted to carry through to the printmaking process, an area she is specialised in. Having experimented with printmaking at university, Emin understood that in order for the layers of paint to be visible, lithography would be most effective.
The full set of ‘These Feelings Were True’ is now available to purchase from Clifton gallery. Each print is in mint condition, still in their original Counter Editions packaging. For more details or to enquire about the works please get in touch.
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