Leigh Bowery 1991

This is Lucian Freud's small oil on canvas painting of Leigh Bowery. The materiality of the artwork, which includes the thick impasto of the paint, is crucial. Freud's distinctive style conveys a sense of palpable, almost sculptural form. The application of paint is almost brutal, yet there's a sensitivity to the textures and tones of the flesh. The process gives Bowery an imposing presence on the canvas. Freud’s painting tradition meets the unconventional persona of Leigh Bowery. He was a performance artist, club promoter and fashion designer whose outrageous creations challenged conventional notions of beauty. Freud was interested in the body as a site of transformation, in its capacity to reflect lived experiences and psychological states. There’s so much labor in the production process that the artwork feels extremely tactile. Through material and making, Bowery’s complexity is brought to light. This portrait bridges the perceived gap between fine art and the rebellious spirit of subculture.