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20 years on, celebrating the work of the not so Young British Artists
Evening Standard31.07.08
In July 1988, an exhibition was staged in London's Docklands to showcase the work of 16 young artists from Goldsmiths College, including that of the show's organiser, an unknown called Damien Hirst.
The Freeze exhibition gave birth to the movement known as the Young British Artists. Now, 20 years on, a new exhibition opens in Covent Garden tomorrow to celebrate the achievements of the no longer quite so young artists.
Entitled 20, it contains works from all but one of the original 16, which in addition to Hirst includes Gary Hume and Sarah Lucas. Also featured is a work by Angus Fairhurst, regarded as one of the unheralded talents of the group and who committed suicide in April.
The only artist not on display is Steven Adamson, who could not be tracked down and who was last heard of working as a stand-up comedian. While not household names, all the remainder have enjoyed success as artists.
The Freeze exhibition was crucial to the impact of the YBAs because it was visited by collector Charles Saatchi, Sir Norman Rosenthal of the Royal Academy and Sir Nicholas Serota, who had just been appointed director of the Tate Gallery, all of whom championed their work.
20 will run to 30 August at The Hospital Club Gallery.
