The Kiss

Emin is a leading figure in the contemporary art scene, with her works becoming notorious due to their confessional and intimate quality. The artist uses art-making as a form of communication with her audience to express her fears, ambitions and hopes for the future. For these characteristics, Emin’s art has been considered primarily through the lens of her autobiography, with many critics claiming that Emin pioneered the idea of “art as artist.” However, Emin can also be an intriguing storyteller and a narrator of her times. Works like The Kiss, or HRH, attest to Emin’s interest in engaging in contemporary culture to make artworks that speak not only of intimate feelings and emotions but also of historical moments. The Kiss portrays one such historical moment, more specifically the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton held on the 29th of April 2011.

Emin produced the monoprint for the Independent’s Royal Wedding Commemorative Issue, published on the day following the wedding. The sketched outlines and slim contours of the figures, together with the title written in capital letters underneath the image, instantly identify the image as Emin’s work. In the image, Emin resorts to her distinctive drawing style, also visible in her Nude Self-Portraits and Nude Drawings, and represents the kiss that sealed the union of the two royals. Bringing together Emin’s distinctive style and her interest in pivotal moments of British history, this artwork represents an exceptional piece in Emin’s production.