The retrospective is scheduled to open in 2026.
An unmade bed, neon lights, and a tent. British artist Tracey Emin has long been making headlines with her provocative work. Now, she will be celebrated in the exhibition A Second Life at Tate Modern. Running from 12 March to 23 August 2026, the Tracey Emin exhibition at Tate Modern marks her largest-ever show and showcases over 90 works spanning four decades.
Tracey is known for her confessional style of art, which explores themes of trauma, healing, and the female experience. A Second Life, the Tracey Emin exhibition at Tate Modern, will feature a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, video, textile, neon, and installation. Many of the works will be shown in the UK for the first time.
My Bed (1998) anchors the show and reflects a turning point in her career. The piece consists of her bed and bedroom objects in a dishevelled state, representing a time when Tracey was depressed and stayed in Bed for four days. It caused controversy when it was shortlisted for the Turner Prize and later sold at Christie's for £2,546,500.
Early pieces such as Why I Never Became a Dancer (1995) and Tracey Emin CV (1995) showcase her autobiographical tone. The Tracey Emin exhibition at Tate Modern also confronts deeply personal experiences through powerful works like How It Feels (1996) and Is This a Joke (2009).
More recent pieces explore her battle with cancer, including the new bronze sculpture Ascension (2024). Her later works also include large-scale paintings that convey a more spiritual and transcendent tone. The monumental bronze I Followed You Until The End (2023) will be displayed outside the Tate Modern.
Tate's powerful programme for 2026 also features a deep dive into Frida Kahlo’s life and legacy with archival pieces for the audience to explore, and a retrospective of the artist James McNeill Whistler, the first of its kind to be held in Europe in 30 years.
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GO: Visit www.tate.org.uk for more information.