Tracey Emin Says My Bed Would Be Clean and Boring If Created Today

Tracey Emin has said that her iconic artwork My Bed would look completely different if she created it today, describing a modern version as tidy, clean and ultimately boring. The British artist made the remarks as the installation returns to Tate Modern as part of her new retrospective exhibition, Tracey Emin A Second Life.

First unveiled in 1999, My Bed became one of the most talked about works of contemporary British art. The installation featured Emin’s unmade bed surrounded by personal items including cigarette butts, empty alcohol bottles, stained sheets, underwear and used condoms. At the time, it divided critics and the public, with some dismissing it as sensational while others praised its raw honesty.

Now 62, Emin reflected on how her life has changed since creating the piece. She said that if she recreated the artwork today, the bed would be perfectly presented with high quality sheets and a calm atmosphere. Instead of chaos, she suggested there might be love letters or her cats nearby. The contrast, she noted, would make the work far less compelling.

The original installation was inspired by a period of emotional crisis in Emin’s life. She has previously spoken about struggling with depression and personal turmoil at the time. Seeing the work again has moved her deeply, as she associates it with a moment when she felt she nearly lost her life. She has described the bed as something that held her and kept her alive during a dark chapter.

My Bed was nominated for the Turner Prize and later sold at auction in 2014 for more than 2.5 million pounds. Its return to Tate Modern marks a significant moment in Emin’s career, offering audiences a chance to reconsider the artwork within the broader context of her life and artistic development.

Emin rose to prominence in the 1990s as part of the Young British Artists movement, alongside figures such as Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas. The group became known for challenging conventions and confronting audiences with provocative subject matter. Emin’s work often explores themes of trauma, sexuality, loss and survival, drawing heavily from her personal experiences.

In recent years, the artist has also faced serious health challenges. In 2024, she revealed she had been given the all clear after cancer treatment. She has spoken about how confronting mortality changed her outlook and strengthened her determination to speak openly about difficult subjects.

Beyond her personal reflections, Emin continues to address wider social issues through her art, including abuse, depression and reproductive rights. She has also voiced concerns about artificial intelligence and its potential impact on truth in society, while expressing confidence that it cannot replace genuine artistic expression.

The retrospective at Tate Modern presents works spanning decades, offering insight into how Emin’s perspective has evolved while maintaining the emotional intensity that first brought her international attention.