art: olympic poster art at tate britain
Edited by: catrin daviesThe Olympics are coming! The Olympics are coming! I'm not sure if anyone was aware, but the Olympics are coming!
Like when the arty kids are given a task to colour-in some banners at the School Sports day in the spirit of inclusion, the London 2012 Committee has commissioned 12 of the UK's leading contemporary artists to produce posters for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic games, keeping with a tradition that began in 1912.
It's a stellar line-up, which inlcudes Tracey Emin's softly, softly words of encouragement, Martin Creed's bold podium, Bridget Riley's Op Art Olympics and Chris Ofili's don't-mess-with-me muscle-bound runner.
Our favourite poster comes from Rachel Whiteread, who has reproduced the Olympic rings in the form of tea cup stains, pretty-much capturing the most physically exerting exercise the rest of us mere mortals will be getingt involved in over the next few weeks.
The full list of artists involved are Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Martin Creed, Tracey Emin, Anthea Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, Chris Ofili, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smith and Rachel Whiteread and the posters are currently on show until September 23rd at Tate Britain.
