Leigh Bowery: Take A Bowery

Born in Sunshine, Melbourne in 1961, Bowery moved to London in 1980 at the height of the post-punk era and rapidly positioned himself at the centre of the city?s club scene, meeting and working with some of the most influential artists, designers and filmmakers of the time. As a fashion designer, nightclub impresario, performance artist, stylist, aspiring pop star and painter?s model, Bowery was involved in creating some of the most indelible looks and images of the 1980s and early 1990s. While working across a range of media, Bowery was ultimately an artist who used his own body as a canvas, bringing a radical and refreshing presence to the established traditions within which he worked.

Take a Bowery: The Art and (larger than) Life of Leigh Bowery was the most comprehensive exhibition to date on Bowery?s work, showcasing over 80 designs from 1982 to 1994, including fashion items, club wear, performance outfits and accessories. Also featured were a number of works created in collaboration with others, including films by Welsh artist Cerith Wyn Evans and American filmmaker Charles Atlas; documentation of dance performances with British choreographer Michael Clark; performances with his band Minty; and photographs by Fergus Greer.