‘Tinsel and Twinkle have kidnapped a banker, holding him to ransom for the duration of the private view for their exhibition!’.

Bespoke ‘Tinsel and Twinkle’ bank notes will be handed out to the public during the opening of their show. Guests will be asked to respond to the global economic crisis by writing their solutions, opinions, emotions and thoughts onto these bank notes. The money will then be pinned around the banker forming an insightful display. This is the first retrospective by the art duo - Tinsel and Twinkle - and is also an amazing opportunity to see a large cross section of their work, including previously unseen pieces, and a selection from the back catalogue.

Tinsel & Twinkle have chosen to present their ‘mini’ Retrospective fairly early on in their artistic careers. The works on display offer an insight into their individual artistic concerns. Social and political themes dominate the show, illustrating their quest to highlight, expose and question; bringing contemporary issues to the forefront.

Tinsel & Twinkle met when they were 9, over a pot of poster paints at their first school. Since that fortuitous meeting they have spent years collaborating and exhibiting their art works including identical degree shows at their universities, Tinsel was at Goldsmiths and Twinkle at Kingston. They work as individual artists but sharing a history and similar creative concerns, they often join forces to collaborate on projects and exhibit together. Tinsel’s passionate ideology as an artist is rooted in a desire to create works which question and challenge social and political issues. Her commentary is a personal response to social injustice. Incorporating text into her paintings, the works are littered with action statements, personal mottos, questions, observations and anecdotes, reflective of her earnest approach to dealing with serious concerns. Twinkles work has been inspired by social political issues in Britain both now and as it existed decades and centuries ago. Recently her work has become more universal in it’s consideration. Often satirical and usually political, the content carries dark undertones and attempts to shine a light on where the Human condition repeatedly remains in the dark.

Private View: 7.30-9.30pm Thursday July 5th. Show runs until July 19th

Read our interview with the girls on kidnapping a banker, how much pocket money they used to get, and the price of Happiness here.