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Posted

New artwork: Fashion Forward Fanny

As part of #lgbthistory month, I’ve created a new artwork inspired by the legendary Leigh Bowery.

For those that don’t know, Leigh was an Australian performance artist and fashion/costume designer, whose dazzling, outrageous, and often disturbing looks were a permanent fixture on the club scene of early 1980’s London and New York. His work has inspired a vast range of artists and designers ever since, including (but certainly not limited to) Lady Gaga, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, and Boy George. He was also a muse for Lucien Freud, who created a famous series of full-length paintings of him, and in 2002 his life was celebrated in the West End and Broadway musical Taboo, in which he was played by his friend Boy George, who was also the creative force behind the show.

Sadly, Leigh Bowery passed away in 1994, but his legacy is felt as strongly as ever, and is regularly referenced today in both fashion and drag culture at large. I’ve included a few photos of Leigh’s most iconic looks which directly inspired this piece (and you’ll also see I couldn’t resist including a picture of Leigh himself within the piece, watching Fanny do her chores…)

Oh, and this is also the second in my “Domestic Goddess” series (drag queens doing the housework in ludicrously inappropriate apparel). 

Hope you like it (and please do check out more about Leigh Bowery!)

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Posted

I went to Art School in the 80s in NYC. I worked at Limelight in NYC for a couple of years. Leigh's influence was EVERYWHERE, especially with the "club kids" at Limelight.

Great illustration. You never fail to impress!

Posted
34 minutes ago, dannyg9 said:

I went to Art School in the 80s in NYC. I worked at Limelight in NYC for a couple of years. Leigh's influence was EVERYWHERE, especially with the "club kids" at Limelight.

Great illustration. You never fail to impress!

Wow! That must have been an amazing time! Super jealous! (And thanks for the support, as ever).

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