attitude LOVES
FREAK UNIQUE
© PETER ASHWORTH
Club kids, fashionistas and queer peacocks various owe a huge debt to the late artist extraordinaire Leigh Bowery, whose life and times are being celebrated in a forthcoming exhibition at Tate Modern. The Australian eccentric, who died of an AIDS-related illness aged 33 in 1994, absolutely ruled London’s LGBTQ+ scene in the 80s — not least with his legendary club night, Taboo. His canvas was his body, and his penchant for humorous weirdness and outlandish looks influenced everyone from Alexander McQueen to Lady Gaga to Bowery’s friend and peer, Boy George, who is still flying the freak flag 40-plus years later. On show will be his most iconic ensembles and his collaborations with the likes of Lucian Freud. The show takes place from 27 February to 31 August 2025.