Leigh

Bowery - Ar.st
Research

By Jennifer Ball

Who was he?

Leigh Bowery was an ar.st, fashion designer, club promoter, performance ar.st - born
in 1961, Victoria, Australia.

Style and Sexuality

Bowery communicated through his sexuality,

physical exaggera.on and outrageous dress
code.

He was provoca.ve and evolu.onary. By

trade he was a professional dressmaker and
took every opportunity to dress up or
masquerade. Outlandish gloves, bulbous
shoes, over sized hats and elongated belts
became trademarks.

He used his clothing like cosme.c surgery

and his use of camouage was legendary.

He was fascinated by the bodys ability to

change shape believing it demonstrated
growth. His art and designs focused on
fantasy and escapism.

Fashion and
Performance Art

Taboo Night Club

In 1985, Bowery opened his nightclub Taboo. Taboo
was known for its deance of sexual conven.on,
and its embrace of what Bowery called "polysexual"
iden..es. Throughout his life, Bowery lived by no
rules for his appearance or his behaviour. He loved
to shock and out conven.on whenever possible.
Bowery posed nude for some of Lucien Freud's
portraits. His dress designs featured oral pa[erns
and were o\en kitschy and beau.ful.