Brief Review of 'Love is What You Want' Exhibition by Tracey Emin

Entered into the exhibition not really knowing how I would feel about Emin's work now that my own ideas and methods have changed so much since the time that I regularly referred to her on my foundation course. I was aware of how difficult it was for me to relate to such personal pieces, and my indifference/lack of understanding created a mental distance between myself and the works. I thought this important to reflect on regarding my own art for my final degree year.
I wasn't impressed by her drawings, but to be honest I never have been - neither by the content nor the style of them. I was entertained by her videos of herself in role plays but also thought they were quite pointless; mesmerized by her neon lighting messages as always; but the one piece that stood out for me within the whole show was a simple, short, grainy video installed into one of the walls; of her and her father on a beach, running in and out of the sea, filmed in 1996. Emin had included her own voiceover recording which was very brief and ended with 'I love you Daddy.'