Leigh Bowery was an Australian artist that blew the doors off the art world in the 1980s and 90s. To call him just an artist would be the undersell of the year. He was a man of many talents that resonate and influence to this day. A lot of Bowery's work seems rooted in the idea of fashion. In the beginning, he just seemed like and advant-garde fashion designer that was taking shots from critics on the front lines for his progressive designs.
His area of effect was so large that he influenced a whole generation of people. These were called 'The New Romantics', which were a generation of young people/club kids that dressed in a crazy and expressive manner. They are kind of reminiscent of what some people might call "ravers", in the way that they dress in a seemingly bizarre way to portray their varying personalities.
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One of Leigh Bowery's most famous works is his performance at the Anthony d'Offay gallery. In this performance, he was the piece of art. From a surface perspective, he basically sat on an old slab of furniture whilst wearing regalia that expressed his signature style. He was behind a one-sided mirror that allowed the audience to view his actions, but not the other way around. He could be seen preening and primping.
For me, it seems like an odd exhibit, but I have to praise Bowery's dedication to character. He has such a distinct way of presenting himself, and he's very consistent. That's why I can view him as an artist. It reminds me of Orlan in the way that he is presenting this unique persona, but instead of using plastic surgery, he is using his forward thinking fashion sense. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1994 from AIDS, which he kept secret until his death. While he is physically gone, his body of work still inspires artists around the world.
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