Artist Tracey Emin has confirmed plans to move to Kent in an interview with the The Guardian.
The former Margate girl had already hinted at the move when she spoke to The Isle of Thanet News in May.
The controversial artist, whose installation My Bed will be on display alongside a collection of JMW Turner’s seascapes and stormy skies, at Turner Contemporary from next month, made the decision after losing a bid to expand her art studio in Spitalfields.
The 54-year-old spoke about Margate becoming an “epicentre for the arts” when she was in town to switch on the neon Dreamland sign in May.
She exclusively told The Isle of Thanet News that she was planning to exhibit her art in Margate and that the town was becoming an attractive destination for London artisans with a number of her friends looking at buying studios and galleries.
She said: “London isn’t looking after its culture or creative people so Margate is becoming an epicentre for arts. I have a number of friends looking for studios and galleries, things are really going to happen here.
“Margate is a beautiful setting and its architecture has not been destroyed but is being protected.”
Ms Emin said she has exhibited prints with Carl Freedman previously and was looking forward to the opportunity to do so at the new gallery space planned for the former Thanet Press building.
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The 10,000 square foot space is over two floors of a concrete 1960s commercial building which will also house Freedman’s print publishing business Counter Editions. The venture will also involve gallery director Jonathan Viner.
An artist residency and roof top sculpture project space are also planned.
Ms Emin, who also has four postcard works due to be auctioned tomorrow (Saturday) in support of the Margate Caves project, said the move is also prompted by the death of her mum Pam earlier this year.
