Coronation Cross 1981

Curator: At the Tate, we have Gilbert & George's "Coronation Cross," an artwork that layers symbols of British identity and power. It’s quite imposing at 1330 by 997 mm. Editor: My first impression is that it feels like looking through a kaleidoscope of British iconography, a somewhat unsettling pattern of royalty and grandeur. Curator: Exactly. The repeated image of Queen Elizabeth II, juxtaposed with what seems to be Westminster Abbey's vaulted ceiling, speaks volumes about the visual language of monarchy. The layering creates a sense of cultural saturation. Editor: And it raises questions about the accessibility—or inaccessibility—of those symbols. Is it celebrating British identity, or critiquing the enduring power structures it represents? This kind of repetition can be oppressive. Curator: Perhaps both? Gilbert & George often explore complex and contradictory aspects of modern life, and the repeated motifs resonate with the visual codes of royalty. Editor: It's certainly given me a lot to think about regarding how we engage with national symbols. Curator: Indeed, it offers a striking reflection on British identity and its enduring power dynamics.