That spiky pair of old buggers are at it again; confounding convention, reaching for the overdrive stick, cussing for the fucking sake of it. The exact relationship between Gilbert Proesch and George Passmore (Gilbert & George to you sir) has long been shrouded in mystery — the have have been living together in Spitalfields since 1968 — but the duo’s existential thoughts are laid bare in their latest work, THE BANNERS.

Showing at White Cube Bermondsey until 24 January 2016, the provocateurs play nicely into the hands of the “is this really art” crew, teasing cynics with their famed brand of anti-art. FUCK THE PLANET. FUCK THE TEACHERS. FUCK HIM. Gilbert & George channel the illness of modern society in a collection that is as uncompromising, as nihilist, as anything that has preceded it. 72 and 73 respectively, THE BANNERS is a body of work that sees the duo on resolute form; cantankerous to a tee, continue to expect the unexpected.

THE BANNERS offend at White Cube Bermondsey until 24 January, 2016.

@_WhiteCube

Gilbert & George
Gilbert & George say-: DECRIMINALISE SEX 1, 2015
Water colour paper mounted on linen with three brass eyelets, red paint and black spray can paint
48 1/16 x 59 13/16 in. (122 x 152 cm)
© Gilbert & George. Photo © Gilbert & George Courtesy White Cube

Gilbert & George
Gilbert & George say-: BAN RELIGION 1, 2015
Water colour paper mounted on linen with three brass eyelets, red paint and black spray can paint
48 1/16 x 59 13/16 in. (122 x 152 cm)
© Gilbert & George. Photo © Gilbert & George Courtesy White Cube