Tracey Emin has unveiled her major new exhibition, "Second Life," at Tate Modern, marking a significant departure from the tradition of living British artists showing at Tate Britain. The exhibition, curated by Harry Weller alongside Tate’s Maria Balshaw, Alvin Li, and Jessica Baxter, eschews a traditional retrospective format in favor of a thematic exploration of Emin's personal history. During the press preview, Emin addressed her multicultural heritage—including Turkish Cypriot, Sudanese, and Romanichal roots—and criticized the rise of jingoism and divisive politics in the UK.
This exhibition is a milestone for Emin, who reflects on her career and survival following a serious health battle, noting the rarity of witnessing such a major institutional show during one's lifetime. Beyond the gallery walls, Emin highlighted the transformative power of art in her hometown of Margate, arguing that cultural investment provides a necessary counter-narrative to economic hardship and political extremism. Her comments also touch on broader institutional shifts, including her role as a trustee at the British Museum and the ongoing efforts to modernize and address colonial legacies within major UK arts organizations.