Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Leigh Bowery

Leigh Bowery (26 March 1961 - 31 December 1994) was an Australian-born, London-based performance artist, club promoter, actor, aspiring pop star, model and fashion designer. Bowery is considered one of the more influential figures in the 1980s and 1990s London and New York art and fashion circles influencing a generation of artists and designers. His influence reached through the fashion, club and art worlds to impact, amongst others, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Boy George, Antony and the Johnsons, John Galliano, the Scissor Sisters, David LaChapelle, and Lady Bunny.

This historical archive footage was shot by Brenda A. Go-Go for the public access cable program "On Patrol". Featured are cable show hostess Brandy Wine speaking with the legendary performance artist Leigh Bowery prior to his performance at Wigstock 1993:



Videotaped by Steve Lafreniere, the amazing Leigh Bowery gives birth - live, on stage. Introduced by Lady Bunny:



Michael Alig, James St. James, Amanda Lepore, Leigh Bowery, Ernie Glam on the Joan Rivers Show:



Leigh Bowery was one of Freud's favorite models between 1990 and 1994:


Painting: Leigh Bowery 1991,Oil on canvas.
Etching: Large Head (state II) 1993