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Gilbert and George, the art world's most controversial double act, have used the Union Jack as the shroud to cover the naked, crucified body of Jesus in their latest picture, Christian England, part of a show called the Jack Freak Pictures 2008 to be exhibited all across Europe this summer.
“For the first time in the history of Christianity people will see a halo made of the Union Jack,” says George. “The other first in the history of religion is having Jesus's clothes made of the flag,” says Gilbert.
Ever since they invented themselves as “living sculptures” 42 years ago, Gilbert and George talk, walk and work like identical twins, finishing each other's sentences and apparently knowing each other's thoughts.
Gilbert says: “We think Christian England is a wonderful title for a picture, a term that has been forgotten about.”
George adds: “Up until the war people would say to someone who was being awkward to you on the street, or offensive in some way, Excuse me, this is Christian England. You must behave yourself.' It now seems absurd.” The pair have carved a niche, taking subjects which are usually ignored by the art world: from human excrement to pubic lice, from Asian skinheads to terrorist bombers, from Evening Standard placards to plane trees and, of course, always themselves. In 2007 they became the first British artists to have a retrospective at Tate Modern.
In their new show they stir up debate over religion and patriotism. But essentially, they say, their subject matter is London, portraying what they have observed around their house in Spitalfields. “We love London,” says George. “Nowhere is better,” says Gilbert.
Their view of the city features male street characters, angry and/or witty graffiti, street names, trees, buildings and always the artists themselves, adopting dance poses or grimacing.
Their 153 startling new pictures will be shown at the White Cube galleries in Hoxton and Mayfair and other galleries all over Europe in an unprecedented co-ordinated series of exhibitions. The framing alone has cost half a million pounds.
Their obsession with the Union Jack has produced pictures called Jesus Jack, Jack Shit, Jack Wheel, Jacksie, Jeepers, Creepers, as well as Land of the Rising Jack, Ingerland, Brit Brats and Britishism.
Living sculptures: “We are not Christians. We are battling against it,” says George, right
They have created self-portraits showing them dressed in Lycra suits patterned with Union Jacks and Koranic emblems in an ironic twist of patriotic and religious fervour. Some of the self-portraits show the artists distorted into freaks with three tongues and three legs.
Gilbert and George have subtly altered the shape of the flag in their pictures. George explains: “Ours is more democratic and no longer asymmetrical. No one can complain that our flag cannot be hung upside down.”
“It is never incorrectly used,” says Gilbert.
George adds: “My grandfather used to ring the bell at factories or big offices and say to the porter, Your flag is flying upside down.'
“They would say, I'm sorry, sir — we'll see what we can do about that.' He would then say, Fine. I'll wait until you do.' ”
The artists are both non-believers and anti-religion. George says: “We are not Christians. We are battling against it.” Gilbert adds: “It has caused too many deaths. We are dealing with it because on every street corner you have a church ringing every weekend. You have to be a Christian,' they tell you. If not, you're damned. We don't believe in damnation.”
George says: “We believe in our neighbour. That's about it.” Gilbert adds: “We always says the main rule is not to beat up your neighbour, unless, of course, he likes it.”
Other themes and motifs in their new show include old sports and military medals — a bygone reminder of fair play, as well as a Muslim youth from their East End neighbourhood who committed suicide.
“We saw him every day and then suddenly heard he had ended his life. We were very moved,” said George. The Salvation Army is also a subject.
“We do not think it is right that the art world should have no-go areas for certain subjects,” says Gilbert.
To George the final word: “We are going to pop out for a spot of S and M. Do you want to come?” As usual they have opted for something iconic and English: sausage and mash.
Reader views (14)
I was distressed to see this picture in the Evening Standard. Jesus is someone who loves us - enough to have died for us, and this picture is in 'bad taste', making the Son of God an object of ridicule. I appreciate the artists are not Christians but if this country recognised the teaching and example of Jesus, we would be more worthy of the title 'Christian England'.
- Christine Brown, Romford, UK
Ben just for the record - I'm only playing 
- Ged, Blackheath, London
Ben Farrell -
I suspect I know an awful lot more than you do. For instance, I know I wouldn't offer up Monet, Turner, Picasso and even old Cartoon-Boy if I were trying to make a case for this utterly dreary pair of characters.
Still, even a one-trick pony has to be lead into the ring by somebody. Looks like you got lucky!
- Ged, Blackheath, London
But they've drawn the flag wrong, the Union Flag has off-set red diagonal. And the Union Jack is only called that at sea.
I agree that they should have used the Union Flag, as that's the national flag, not St George's Cross.
- Lee, Middlesbrough
Silly Old Farts.....but please, do go on enjoying all the benefits that exist from that you decry, including freedom.....which means you are free to take your hook of course that's not as lucrative for you is it?
- Janet, London
In their extraordinarily silly work I feel the 'living sepulchres' Gilberto & Sullivan have missed an opportunity by not clothing the Messiah in Y Fronts which are arguably more British than the rather shapeless boxer shorts we see on display. If Jesus were alive in the modern era I am convinced he would eschew american-style undergarments.
- P Pickarso, East Cheam Britain
Can't see what the fuss is about - everyone knows that Jesus was half English anyway, (His mother Nazarethian, His father an Englishman).
Though I agree with 'Patriot', The St George's Cross would've probably been more apt...
- John, London
'Ged, Blackheath, London' - do you know anything about art history? Would you say to Turner "oh, not another landscape!" Would you say to Monet "oh, not another pond!" Would you say to Lichtenstien "oh, not more dots!" Would you say to Picasso "oh, not another ceramic/sculpture/etching/portrait/still life!" ...
- Ben Farrell, London
I look forward to the companion piece entitled 'Muslim England' where they dress Mohammed in the Union flag.
- Chris, Brighton, England.
I love the new work. It makes me think of the ground breaking work of Jamie Reid. 'Alah,London' is missing the point. Perhaps he/she needs to read the article again - or maybe have it read to him/her .... the silly sausage.
- Ben Farrell, London
One.Trick.Ponies.
Have they never tired of all this? 'We' have.
More utterly tedious socio-claptrap. They occupy the same territory in the affections of their followers as the 'People's Friend' magazine does with maiden-aunts.
Please G & G, buy yourselves a sea-side B & B and make yourselves useful!
- Ged, Blackheath, London
They could do at the same time againts other religions. I do not think so, there is not enougth courage. Silly people.
- Alah, london
I prefer Gilbert and George when they put pooh pooh on canvass and call it art. It places them nicely with another celebrated artist of modern time - Tracey Ermin.
- Coys Switz, switzerland
If the piece is entitled "christian england" then surely the shroud should be the st george cross and not the union flag!
- Patriot, london
