Gavin Turk

Gavin Turk is a British artist known for his conceptual works that explore authorship, identity, and the role of the artist. Born in Guildford, England in 1967, he studied at the Royal College of Art but was famously denied his degree after presenting a blue heritage plaque marking his studio as “Gavin Turk worked here, 1989–1991.” Emerging as part of the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s, Turk gained attention with works that mimic and parody icons of modern art, including references to Warhol, Duchamp, and British cultural figures. His work challenges originality and value in art, often using irony and self-reference.