The Independent's Picks for the New Class of 'Young British Artists'
Throughout most of the 90s, even if you didn’t care a lick about the art world, it was nearly impossible to not read or hear something about the Young British Artists (both the people and the associated, sort-of-movement itself). But now that the YBAs aren’t so Y anymore, and members like Damien Hirst have become millionaires several times over and have maybe even gotten too comfortable inside “the establishment,” who is there to step in as the next class? The Independent has a great rundown on who these next YBAs are, picking out individual artists seem the most likely poised to step into higher-profile roles, as well as offering up a general overview of the new scene in general. In short, according to the paper, while the old YBAs loved to shock and play to the tabloids, this new classis elegant, polite, and “closer to F. Scott Fitzgerald than Irvine Welsh.”
“The work of this new generation is more thoughtful, beautiful, elegant and profound. The YBA generation tried to provoke outrage through a direct relationship with the public,” says Nick Hackworth, the director of London’s Paradise Row gallery. And he laughs as he agrees that it is not only the artwork that is beautiful and elegant, but also the artists themselves.
It will be interesting to see if lots of media attention can still be had without all those old YBA shenanigans. We’re not sure how that’s possible, but we’re more than happy to be shown the way.
