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Elmgreen & Dragset: Exploring Identity through Self-Portraits

Jonathon Williams03 mins

Elmgreen & Dragset: A Unique Artistic Collaboration

Elmgreen & Dragset, the acclaimed artistic duo, have gained recognition for their innovative creations that provoke thought and spark dialogue. They assert, “There are artists who make art because they can’t really verbally express themselves. We make art because we talk a lot… it’s based on our dialogue, what comes out.”

Elmgreen & Dragset have created a 'self-portrait' consisting of labels to other artists' work, recreated using orthodox fine art techniques. Here a label recalling a David Hockney drawing is made by engraving a flawless slab of white marble.
Elmgreen & Dragset have created a “self-portrait” consisting of labels to other artists’ work, recreated using orthodox fine art techniques. Here a label recalling a David Hockney drawing is made by engraving a flawless slab of white marble.
Each one references a time in their shared memory. Some, as here, appear blurry, as the artists reach back in time to recall earlier influences.
Each one references a time in their shared memory. Some, as here, appear blurry, as the artists reach back in time to recall earlier influences.
Or blurry, as though they might never have been clear at the time. Ingar Dragset explains there is a desire 'to understand the fictive character that appears between us as collaborating partners.'
Or blurry, as though they might never have been clear at the time. Ingar Dragset explains there is a desire “to understand the fictive character that appears between us as collaborating partners.”
In the corner, a pair of trainers are unexpectedly cast in bronze. Surprising materials were key, says Ingar Dragset: 'I like it, myself, when I see artwork dealing with a specific material and whenever you see that material again you think about it differently, or you relate to it differently.'
In the corner, a pair of trainers are unexpectedly cast in bronze. Surprising materials were key, says Ingar Dragset: “I like it, myself, when I see artwork dealing with a specific material and whenever you see that material again you think about it differently, or you relate to it differently.”

Exploring the Depth of Materiality

Moreover, the artists’ choice of materials invites viewers to reconsider common objects and their representations. For instance, by casting everyday trainers in bronze, they challenge the notion of how materials convey value and meaning in art. This thought-provoking use of surprising materials encourages a deeper reflection on our perceptions of art.

Art as Dialogue

Consequently, Elmgreen & Dragset emphasize the narrative behind each piece, highlighting how their shared experiences shape their artistic dialogue. Their artworks not only tell a story but also serve as a testament to the dynamic nature of collaboration in art.


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