Gillian Wearing

Gillian Wearing

 

Gillian Wearing was born in 1963 and is a conceptual artist and photographer who is currently working in Britain.  In one of her photo series, Wearing walked along the streets of Britain photographing strangers.  While taking their photo, she had them hold up a piece of white paper.  Written on the paper was a personal message or confession, such as “I am NOT who I thought I was”, “Help”, and “I’m desperate”.  Another project of Wearing’s is a film about alcoholism.  She followed teenagers around to document how alcohol consumption slowly destroys inhibitions and self-control.

I like Gillian Wearing’s series of the strangers with confessions.  I think the idea of strangers sharing their secrets for the world to see is inspiring.  I also like that the strangers can retain their anonymity yet are revealing themselves at the same time.  Gillian Wearing’s art is interesting to me because it functions both as art and social awareness.  Her videos about drinking and alcoholism, while they are artful films, also serve to raise public awareness of the dangers and implications of drinking.  I like that Wearing shows how teenagers are affected by dangerous drinking habits and presents it in a truthful manner.