Gilbert & George

Internationally famous, Tweed suit-wearing art duo Gilbert & George are known for their uncompromising artworks that mix and manipulate images of themselves (bodily functions, fluids and all) with photographs of the cultural and urban environment around their Spitalfields home and studio. Their latest and largest series, the 'Jack Freak Pictures', comprise 153 large-scale images that will be exhibited across seven European galleries, including White Cube's Hoxton and Mason's Yard venues.

It's sizzlingly hot today, what's the secret of wearing Tweed in a heatwave?
'To have suits in three weights of fabric. Todays are medium weight but it's probably warm enough for the lightest.'

So, what are the ideas behind the 'Jack Freak Pictures'?
'They partly began with images of medals we've been collecting which reward effort in physical activities; dancing or sports. When we began to fold and repeat the first image -of a footballer - the legs began to resemble mad sexual activity. We also thought that the pattern looked slightly like the Union flag, which lead to that also being a theme. And of course the crosses in the Union flag refer to the crucifixion so that too became part of the works.'

And you've folded and manipulated photographs of yourselves on computer in a similar way…
'Yes, and it's extraordinary what can happen when an image is repeatedly folded. We can look like anything from ghosts to strange insects . We like the idea of making ourselves into freaks. We all have a part of ourselves that can be repulsive as well as a part that can be attractive.'

The term 'Freak' was often used to describe the late Michael Jackson. Do you have views about his death?
'It was unbelievably sad but it was also just waiting to happen. He had become this strange transsexual figure - half man, half woman, but sometimes artists just become cornered. He couldn't even have gone away to an island with a few friends to sort himself out because there would always be an army of people following him, needing the money.'

Text is important in your work. In these images you've included graffiti and slang that relates to the imagery…
'Words that relate to the Union Jack include Jackanape; Jacksy - as in backside; Jack off - as in sex and Jack Shit - an Americanism, but we like to be inclusive. We've also used derivatives of Jesus - Jeez, Jeepers Creepers. The graffiti all comes from this area. We found the best one recently - it just said"Behave yourself". Who would write that?

You design your own invite cards and adverts. Could advertising ever have been an alternative career?…
'Art is far better than advertising because you can create your own style rather than promote someone else's. We have our own language and we want to speak through that language. People have accused us of not changing our art as if that were a bad thing, but we say that only bad artists change. In another way art is a form of advertising, because it's advertising artists' thoughts.'

You devote nearly all of your time to your work. Is it a fun process?
'It's absolutely no fun, it's agony, because the work comes from inside ourselves. The satisfaction is when the pictures are finished and hanging in the gallery and it's the private view evening and we have a glass of wine in one hand and we're surrounded by teenagers licking us all over. That's the fun.'

‘Jack Freak Pictures’ show until Aug 22 2009 at White Cube Mason’s Yard and Hoxton Square.