Sensation. Young British Artists from the Saatchi Collection
London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1997. 1st Edition. Quarto, publisher's stiff photo-illustrated paper wraps.
Catalog published in conjunction with the controversial exhibition of work by Young British Artists (YBAs) held at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1997, a turning point in the British art scene. Organized by the Academy’s Norman Rosenthal in collaboration with mogul Charles Saatchi, known for collecting the work of young artists, the show sparked international dialogue. Representing 42 works by emerging provocateurs Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Jenny Saville, Rachel Whiteread, Chris Ofili, among others, Sensation created a media frenzy and art world debate, most prominently due to Marcus Harvey’s Myra. Based on the mug shot of Myra Hindley of the Moors murders, the portrait resulted in a torrent of protests led by the organization Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, who picketed Burlington House demanding it be removed. While the museum had to temporarily close the exhibition, it went on to travel to Berlin and New York, where it stirred controversy among pearl clutchers due to the apparent desecration of religious imagery, publicly condemned by Mayor Giuliani. Illustrated with color and black-and-white plates; with critical essays by Rosenthal, Brooks Adams, Lisa Jardine, and others; with brief artist biographies, selected bibliography, index. Light creasing and edgewear to wraps. Near fine. Item #11902
$75.00