Gilbert & George: With Victoria

They have been the most notorious duo on the British art scene for almost five decades – outraging, inspiring and amusing the public in equal measure.

But now, for the first time since they started collaborating, Gilbert & George are to become a trio.

Saturday marks the debut of Gilbert & George with Victoria, a transgender nurse. She is the only other person to whom they have awarded the title of “living sculpture” alongside themselves.The trio will take the stage at the Serpentine Gallery in London at the gallery’s 10th annual “marathon”, which features writers, thinkers, artists and scientists. This year’s theme is “transformation”.

“When we heard transformation was the theme, we realised we had our transformation,” George says. “We’ve never worked with another person like this before. On Saturday we will be Gilbert and George and Victoria. This is the first time we’ve had another living sculpture with us.”

The pair met Victoria, who lives and works in the UK, by chance in Monaco. Victoria was there for her birthday and was introduced to the artists by their assistant.

Victoria, 30, arrived from the Philippines as a student in 2009 and now works as a nurse in a hospital in Harrow on the Hill, north-west London. She has taken hormones since she was 18 and lived as a woman for the past two years.

Victoria has never been involved in the art world before. “It’s a very big pleasure,” she says. “Though I feel nervous – it’s the first time I’ve done anything like this.”

Gilbert says: “We have the best transformation. There is nothing better than a living transformation.” ...

The Independent.