Gilbert and George, Untitled, 1988, published in FOOD SEX ART the Starving Artists’ Cookbook by EIDIA (idea) Books in New York, 1991© Gilbert and George; Courtesy of the artists, Paul and Melissa EIDIA, and RYAN LEE Gallery, New York
Ever since “art for art’s sake” became a symbol of bohemian credibility in the late 19th century, the spectre of the starving artist has haunted the general public. Driven by an unquenchable desire to create, artists are often at the vanguard of the culture, decades ahead of their contemporaries, and largely unrecognised.
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Here, the struggle to survive is vividly underscored by the very real challenge of putting three meals on the table, every single day. For those who spend the better part of their lives consuming, the decision to pursue a career in the arts is met with wonder and confusion: Why would anyone want to live like that? But for those who must, there simply is no option at all.
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They let the idea marinate for a few days before it began to take shape as The Starving Artists’ Cookbook, a series of recipes, images, and cooking videos made between 1986-1991 featuring more than 160 artists including Peter Beard, Louise Bourgeois, John Cage, Gilbert and George, Taylor Mead, Jonas Mekas, Marilyn Minter, Carolee Schneemann, and Lawrence Weiner.
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Luis Frangella, Untitled, published in FOOD SEX ART the Starving Artists’ Cookbook by EIDIA (idea) Books in New York, 1991© Luis Frangella; Courtesy of the estate of the artist, Paul and Melissa EIDIA, and RYAN LEE Gallery, New York.