Tracey Emin 'A Second Life': A Defining Moment in Contemporary Art

In 2026, Tate Modern in London presents Tracey Emin: A Second Life, the most extensive survey of Tracey Emin’s extraordinary four decade artistic journey. The exhibition brings together more than ninety works, spanning early seminal pieces to recent creations that explore survival, identity and reinvention.

Emin’s influence on contemporary art is profound. Her confessional approach in which personal experience, emotional honesty and bodily presence are central, helped shape the landscape of contemporary practice in the 1990s and beyond. A Second Life not only contextualises her impact within art history but also introduces her ongoing experimentation with medium, form and narrative to new generations of audiences.

What A Second Life Reveals

Tracey Emin’s retrospective at Tate Modern charts the arc of her practice from its raw early days to recent work that reflects on trauma, survival and transformation:

• Early confessional works, including video and installation, that forefront autobiography and autobiographical storytelling.

• Iconic installations such as Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made (1996) and My Bed (1998), which cemented her reputation for raw, unfiltered expression.

• Later works that respond to lived experience, notably her illness and recovery, with a new urgency and emotional depth.

The exhibition emphasises not only Emin’s first life as a defining voice in British art but also her second life where resilience, reinvention and creative courage take centre stage.

This trajectory reflects a broader trend in contemporary art: audiences and institutions are increasingly recognising that personal narratives, vulnerability and emotional authenticity can be powerful artistic tools rather than peripheral themes.

Why This Moment Matters for Collectors

As Emin’s work comes into renewed focus through A Second Life, there are compelling reasons for collectors to consider works on paper and prints as part of their collections:

• Historical significance: The exhibition reinvigorates interest in Emin’s expansive career and highlights themes that recur throughout her work, from intimate confessions to bold public statements.

• Cultural relevance: Major retrospectives often drive market interest and awareness. Work associated with landmark shows, especially those that span media and decades, tends to resonate more strongly with audiences.

• Prints as intimate entry points: Emin’s prints and works on paper distil her confessional voice into direct, expressive compositions that are both emotionally resonant and approachable for collectors new to her work.

Tracey Emin Prints and Editions: A Unique Collector Opportunity

Collecting Tracey Emin’s editions offers a way to engage with the artist’s narrative in a deeply personal format. Emin’s prints often combine:

• Handwritten text that reads like poetry or diary entries

• Expressive line work that conveys vulnerability and emotional immediacy

• Themes of love, loss, healing and identity that mirror those in her larger installations and paintings

Because prints are signed, numbered and authenticated, they also represent a trusted entry point for both seasoned and emerging collectors, requiring less space and investment than large scale installations while still carrying significant cultural weight.

Explore Works Available to Collect Through Lougher

Timed with this landmark exhibition at Tate Modern, Lougher presents a curated selection of Tracey Emin works available to collect, with editions that echo the themes of A Second Life; personal narrative, emotional clarity and artistic reinvention.

Discover a range of Emin’s prints and editions that capture her distinctive voice and contribute to the broader story of one of the most influential contemporary artists of our time.

Explore the collection below and start collecting with Lougher.