Emin hits back at art chief

Tracey Emin has called on the chairman of the Institute of Contemporary Art to resign, after reading the Evening Standard's report of Ivan Massow's belief that the British conceptual art scene "is in danger of disappearing up its own arse".

The report also contained a personal jibe that Emin, 38, "couldn't think her way out of a paper bag".

Emin's response is that if Mr Massow, 34, believes British conceptual art has no substance "perhaps he should resign and try to become chairman of an institution that represents something he understands".

As to his personal statement about her, Emin said: "I don't know why he thinks he knows me. I have only met him once."

She denied his insinuation in a New Statesman article that her work My Bed - bought by millionaire art patron Charles Saatchi for £150,000 - was "the mastermind" of the millionaire advertising guru.

She said: "My Bed was made in 1998. Charles first saw it New York in 1999."

It is a point Mr Massow happily conceded last night. He said: "I was referring to Saatchi as a philosophical mastermind - not some handson collaborator."

Mr Massow will not be resigning. He said: "It is typical of Tracey to think I should resign just because I dare to question the future of concept art." He said he respected her work "even if I don't have much time for what Tracey has to say herself ".