Get tickets now to witness the tribute to the trailblazing vision of Leigh Bowery at the Tate Modern
Leigh Bowery’s brief yet electrifying life left an indelible imprint on the worlds of art, fashion, and performance.
A true polymath—artist, performer, model, TV personality, club promoter, fashion designer, and musician—Bowery defied categorization. He consistently challenged norms and redefined the boundaries of creative expression.
Content guidance: This exhibition includes sexually explicit content, strong language and references to drug use.
Exhibition details:
- Dates: Until 31 August 2025
- Suitable for: All ages
- Wheelchair access: Yes
Emerging from the vibrant nightlife of 1980s London, Bowery captivated audiences with his bold, provocative performances across clubs, galleries, theatres, and public spaces. He transformed makeup and fashion into living sculptures, using the body as a canvas to question and subvert traditional ideas of beauty, gender, and identity.
Bowery’s fearless creativity produced some of the most iconic visuals of the 1980s and 90s, influencing a generation of artists and designers including Alexander McQueen, Jeffrey Gibson, Anohni, and Lady Gaga.
Exhibition highlights:
- This immersive exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore Bowery’s legendary ‘Looks’ and his collaborations with visionary artists such as Michael Clark, John Maybury, Baillie Walsh, Fergus Greer, Nick Knight, and Lucian Freud
- It also shines a light on the dynamic creative scenes of London, New York, and beyond, featuring key figures like Sue Tilley, Trojan, Princess Julia, Les Child, Andrew Logan, Lady Bunny, Scarlett Cannon, MINTY, and Boy George
- From underground clubs to high art institutions, step into Bowery’s kaleidoscopic world—where art and life collided in dazzling ways
Leigh Bowery’s legacy continues to inspire and provoke, reminding us that art knows no boundaries. This exhibition invites audiences to experience the fearless creativity and cultural impact of a true original—whose work still resonates in today’s conversations around identity, fashion, and performance.