The images are grouped in grids – 'And when you start to see the words together – School. Mystery. Tube – you start to see the most extraordinary townscape of London' Photograph: Courtesy White Cube
The route to the Kurdish restaurant where they habitually eat passes a large block of flats. 'Occasionally we see a policeman or woman ringing a door bell. You think "my God. What has happened?" That could be a nightmare lasting generations. Death. Tragedy. Imprisonment' Photograph: Courtesy White Cube
In a move away from the brightly coloured work they have produced for the last few decades, the London Pictures use just black, white, red and fleshtones. 'It came to us with brutal simplicity. The only thing that united all the posters was humanity, and so we added flesh colour' Photograph: Courtesy White Cube
Images of the two men lurk behind the texts, as they have appeared in much of their work over the last 45 years Photograph: Courtesy White Cube
Their distinctive appearance, subject matter and propensity to situate images of themselves in their art has ensured Gilbert & George are among the few artists to enjoy recognition by the general public Photograph: Courtesy White Cube
When they venture outside their Spitalfields home they are photographed by the art tourists who haunt the newly gentrified area. There is fan graffiti on the walls opposite their front door Photograph: Courtesy White Cube
