Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern, London

What is the Tracey Emin: A Second Life exhibition?

Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern is a major exhibition celebrating more than four decades of work by one of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists. Through painting, installation, sculpture, textiles and video, the exhibition explores Emin’s deeply personal artistic language, addressing themes of love, trauma, vulnerability and resilience.

About the Exhibition: Tracey Emin: A Second Life

The exhibition Tracey Emin: A Second Life at the Tate Modern presents the largest survey ever dedicated to the British artist’s groundbreaking career. Spanning more than 40 years of artistic practice, it brings together key works and previously unseen pieces that reveal the intensity and honesty that define Emin’s art.

Tracey Emin has been one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary British art since the 1990s. Associated with the influential Young British Artists movement, she quickly gained international recognition for her unapologetically autobiographical approach. Her works often explore deeply personal experiences including relationships, trauma, desire and vulnerability, transforming intimate moments into powerful artistic statements.

The exhibition highlights the extraordinary range of media used by Emin throughout her career. Visitors encounter expressive paintings, striking neon works, delicate drawings, sculpture, textiles, photography and large-scale installations. Each medium becomes a tool through which the artist communicates her emotional world and challenges the traditional boundaries between personal life and artistic expression.

One of the defining aspects of Emin's work is her commitment to honesty and self-expression. Rather than distancing art from lived experience, she places her own life at the centre of her practice. This direct approach has often sparked debate but has also established her as a pioneering figure in contemporary art.

The exhibition explores this radical artistic philosophy through both well-known works and new pieces that demonstrate how Emin continues to evolve creatively. Her more recent paintings in particular show a renewed focus on gesture, colour and emotional immediacy.

For more details about the exhibition, visitors can consult the official page on the Tate website: Tracey Emin exhibition at Tate Modern.

Artists and Must-See Works

Tracey Emin’s art is unmistakably personal, yet it resonates with universal emotions. Throughout the exhibition, visitors encounter works that reflect the artist’s experiences while also addressing broader themes such as identity, memory, loss and healing.

One of the most famous works associated with Emin is My Bed, which brought her international attention in the late 1990s. The installation, consisting of her own unmade bed surrounded by personal objects, challenged conventional ideas of what art could be and sparked intense public debate.

Beyond this iconic work, the exhibition highlights many other important pieces from across her career. Emin’s neon installations, often displaying handwritten phrases, have become some of her most recognisable artworks. These glowing texts combine poetic language with raw emotional expression, transforming personal thoughts into luminous visual statements.

Her drawings and paintings are equally significant. Many of them depict the female body with expressive, energetic lines, reflecting both vulnerability and strength. These works often feel spontaneous and intimate, giving viewers the impression of witnessing the artist’s thoughts as they emerge on the canvas.

Textile works and embroidered pieces also play an important role in Emin’s practice. Using fabrics, stitching and appliqué, she combines traditional craft techniques with deeply personal storytelling. The result is a body of work that merges visual art with confessional narrative.

Taken together, these works demonstrate how Emin’s art continuously explores the relationship between the personal and the universal. Her experiences become a starting point for reflections on love, pain, identity and resilience.

Planning Your Visit: Dates, Tickets & Tips

The exhibition is currently on view at Tate Modern from 27 February to 31 August 2026. Because it brings together many important works by one of Britain's most influential contemporary artists, it is attracting considerable interest from both art lovers and international visitors.

Tickets start from around £20 for adults. Booking online in advance is recommended, especially during weekends and holiday periods when the museum receives large numbers of visitors.

Tate Modern is one of London’s most visited museums and is located on the south bank of the River Thames. Its dramatic industrial architecture and vast gallery spaces provide a striking setting for contemporary art exhibitions.

To enjoy the exhibition comfortably, consider arriving earlier in the day or later in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays, when the museum remains open until 22:00. This often allows for a quieter viewing experience.

Why Visit Tracey Emin: A Second Life?

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the depth and intensity of Tracey Emin’s artistic journey in a single place. By bringing together works from across her career, it reveals how her creative voice has evolved while remaining consistently honest and emotionally powerful.

For visitors interested in contemporary art, the exhibition provides insight into one of the most influential figures of modern British culture. Emin’s ability to transform deeply personal experiences into compelling artworks has shaped the direction of contemporary art over the past four decades.

Even for visitors new to contemporary art, the exhibition remains highly accessible. The emotional depth and creative evolution creates an immediate connection with viewers, encouraging reflection on universal human experiences.

Combined with the dynamic atmosphere of Tate Modern and its location along the Thames, the exhibition becomes an essential stop for anyone exploring London’s vibrant cultural scene.

Practical Information

• Dates: 27 February 2026 – 31 August 2026
• Opening Hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:00–18:00; Friday–Saturday 10:00–22:00
• Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
• Tickets: Adult tickets approximately £20. Advance booking recommended.
• How to Get There: The nearest Underground stations are Southwark (Jubilee Line) and Blackfriars (District & Circle Lines). The museum is also accessible via the Millennium Bridge from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Conclusion

Tracey Emin: A Second Life stands as one of the most compelling contemporary art exhibitions currently on view in London. Through powerful autobiographical works and bold artistic experimentation, the exhibition reveals the emotional depth and creative evolution of one of Britain’s most influential artists.

If you are planning a visit to Tate Modern, this exhibition offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience the intensity and honesty that define Tracey Emin’s art.

About the Author

This article was curated by the London Museum Tours team. With years of experience guiding visitors through London's permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, our goal is to help you plan the perfect visit.